U.S. Propane Exports Reach Record High in First Half of 2026

U.S. propane exports reached 2 million barrels per day (b/d) in the first half of 2026, an 11% increase from the same period in 2025, with April 2026 hitting a record of 2.1 million b/d. This surge is driven by increased U.S. production, growing demand in India and South Asia, and favorable pricing, partly due to importers seeking alternatives to disrupted Middle East shipments. However, exports to China fell by 19% in the first half of 2026 compared to the first half of 2025, due to past tariffs. Future growth may be constrained by export capacity limits, ongoing drought conditions affecting the Panama Canal, and past Chinese tariffs.