Refinery operators increased jet fuel output from March through May 2026 as disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz reduced crude and refined product flows from the Middle East Gulf, according to data and reports from the IEA, EIA and IATA.
An IATA and S&P Global presentation for June showed May 2026 Middle East Gulf oil production at 13.9 million barrels per day, down from a 2025 average of 25.5 million bpd. Refinery runs fell to 6.2 million bpd from 9.5 million, crude exports to 6.7 million bpd from 17.0 million, refined product exports to 1.5 million bpd from 5.1 million, and tanker transits through the strait dropped sharply.
In the United States, EIA weekly data showed refiner net production of kerosene-type jet fuel rising above 2 million bpd in April, reaching 2.005 million bpd and 2.030 million bpd in successive weeks. The agency said April U.S. crude and petroleum product net exports reached a record 5.8 million bpd and that the increase was most pronounced for diesel and jet fuel.
The IEA said Middle East jet fuel arrivals into Europe fell from about 330,000 bpd in March to about 60,000 bpd in April, pulling ARA jet inventories below five-year lows. Higher output in the United States and Europe and stronger Atlantic Basin shipments raised replacement supply. In its June market update, the IEA said concerns over near-term jet fuel shortages had eased in recent weeks as refinery production, exports and imports increased, although inventories continued to draw.