In a remarkable surge, the United States shipped 3,222,000 barrels of refined petroleum products to Cuba in July, marking the highest monthly total ever recorded by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This figure represents more than quadruple the 778,000 barrels exported in June.
Released by the EIA on September 30, the data reveals a significant increase of 2,444,000 barrels within a single month, with the July exports averaging around 104,000 barrels daily.
It's important to note that these exports consist of refined petroleum products, not crude oil. The breakdown for July indicates that the majority was distillate fuel, totaling 2,654,000 barrels, followed by 554,000 barrels of finished gasoline, with smaller amounts of lubricants and aviation fuel.
A Remarkable Year-Over-Year Increase
When examining the trend throughout 2026, July's record figure stands out even more. The year began with negligible amounts: a mere 1,000 barrels in January and 19,000 in February. By March, the volume increased to 190,000 barrels, then 210,000 in April, 476,000 in May, and 778,000 in June, before the leap to 3,222,000 barrels in July.
From January through July, declared exports totaled 4,896,000 barrels of petroleum products.
A Contrast with Previous Years
Compared to the nearly negligible monthly figures of 2024 and 2025, where exports to Cuba ranged from zero to just 17,000 barrels, 2026 shows a stark difference. The growth became evident during the first quarter of 2026. By March, reports and shipping data analyzed by Reuters already indicated an uptick in U.S. fuel shipments intended for Cuba's private sector.
During this period, numerous shipments were recorded, predominantly diesel transported in isothanks.
Financial Impact and Regulatory Framework
Financially, this growth was noticeable even before the EIA's new data. U.S. fuel and derivative exports to Cuba reached a cumulative value of $156.8 million from January to July, with about $61.1 million attributed to July alone.
This flow operates under U.S. regulations that permit certain exports to Cuba's private sector despite the embargo. In February, the Department of Commerce issued guidelines under the "Support for the Cuban People" license exception, allowing specific transactions involving petroleum products for private activities while maintaining restrictions on state and military entities.
Comparative Supply Dynamics
For context, Venezuela supplied Cuba with an average of about 27,000 barrels daily in 2025, according to Reuters and data from PDVSA. Energy expert Jorge Piñón from the University of Texas at Austin estimated the flow at around 30,000 barrels per day, translating to roughly 821,000 to 913,000 barrels monthly. In comparison, the 3,222,000 barrels the U.S. reported exporting to Cuba in July 2026 is 3.5 to 3.9 times that monthly volume.
Reuters also reported that no Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba were recorded in January 2026. Meanwhile, Piñón noted that Venezuelan supplies typically ranged between 30,000 and 35,000 barrels daily that month.
The EIA is set to release August data on October 30, which will determine if July's extraordinary increase persisted into the following month.
Key Questions on U.S. Fuel Exports to Cuba
What was the volume of fuel exported from the U.S. to Cuba in July?
In July, the United States exported 3,222,000 barrels of refined petroleum products to Cuba.
How does the July export volume compare to previous months?
July's volume was more than four times the 778,000 barrels recorded in June, and significantly higher than earlier months in 2026.
What products were included in the July exports to Cuba?
The exports consisted primarily of distillate fuel, with 2,654,000 barrels, and 554,000 barrels of finished gasoline, along with smaller quantities of lubricants and aviation fuel.
What regulations govern U.S. fuel exports to Cuba?
U.S. regulations permit certain exports to Cuba’s private sector under the "Support for the Cuban People" license exception, despite the broader embargo.