China’s daily crude oil imports dropped to 8.1 million barrels in the second quarter, pressuring global demand amid supply disruptions.
China, the world’s top crude oil importer, reduced its daily imports to 8.1 million barrels in the second quarter of 2026, a 32% decline from the previous quarter. The drop followed rising crude prices due to disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz, easing global demand pressures.
Imports fell below 8.0 million barrels per day in May and June, the lowest since 2016. This contrasts with record-high imports of 11.6 million barrels per day in 2025, when China expanded strategic reserves during low-price periods. Waterborne imports drove the decline, with sharp reductions from Iraq, Russia, and the UAE.
The decrease outpaced refiners’ processing cuts, signaling a broader pullback in demand. Pipeline imports remained stable, according to tanker traffic data.