What was OPEC's total oil output in April, and how does it compare to previous months and historical levels?

OPEC's crude oil output in April fell by 830,000 barrels per day month-on-month to 20.04 million bpd, the lowest level since at least 2000 according to Reuters surveys—excluding membership changes—and significantly below even the pandemic-era lows of 2020 when demand collapsed. March's figure was revised downward by 700,000 bpd due to a change in the Saudi estimate, compounding the steep decline.

Why did OPEC+ members fail to implement their agreed-upon production hikes in April?

Eight members of the OPEC+ producer group had agreed to resume oil production hikes in April, but the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran on February 28 and the resulting effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz made it impossible to deliver on that agreement, disrupting exports and forcing output cuts across most members.

OPEC Oil Output Hits New Low in April Amid Hormuz Export Disruption, Reuters Survey Finds

May 11, 2026

OPEC crude production fell to its lowest level in over two decades in April due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz caused by regional conflict. While Kuwait and Iraq cut output significantly, the UAE was the only Gulf member able to increase shipments.

reuters

2026-05-11

OPEC Oil Output Hits New Low in April Amid Hormuz Export Disruption, Reuters Survey Finds

2026-06-05

OPEC Output Plunges Further as US Squeezes Iran, Survey Shows

2026-06-10

OPEC Oil Output Lowest Since 2000 as US Blockade Squeezes Iran, Reuters Survey Shows

2026-07-03

OPEC Output Surged in June as Hormuz Flows Jumped, Survey Shows

2026-07-03

OPEC oil output jumps in June as Gulf producers begin reviving supply, Reuters survey shows