Among the 10 nations to increase crude oil exports the most so far in 2026, the United States ranks top, registering a nearly 112-million-barrel increase during January to May compared to the same months in 2025, according to Kpler.
However, South America’s contribution has been both broader and more structurally significant.
Brazil, Guyana and Venezuela have posted the next largest annual increases in crude shipments this year, collectively adding around 145 million barrels.
Including a further 12 million barrels from Argentina, gains from those key nations exceed 157 million barrels compared to the year before.
Some small export volume declines this year from Colombia, Ecuador and Peru have curbed South America’s total expansion to 155 million barrels, but the total shipped out from the region from January to May remains a record 787 million barrels.