Opec has kept its global oil demand growth forecasts for this year and next unchanged.
The group sees oil consumption growing by 1.29mn b/d to 105.13mn b/d in 2025 and by 1.28mn b/d to 106.42mn b/d in 2026, according to its latest Oil Market Report (OMR) released today.
These projections remain markedly higher than the IEA's forecasts.
Opec upgraded its first quarter demand estimate, based on actual data, but said this increase was offset by lower expectations of oil demand in key consuming countries China and India in the second quarter and later in the year, mostly driven by US trade policies.
In terms of supply, Opec downgraded its 2026 non-Opec+ liquids supply growth forecasts for a third month in a row, mainly driven by the effects of lower oil prices on US shale producers. Opec now sees non-Opec+ liquids supply growth growing by 730,000 b/d in 2026, compared with 800,000 b/d in last month's OMR. Opec expects US liquids output growth of 210,000 b/d, down from 460,000 b/d in March.
But the group kept its 2025 non-Opec+ liquids supply growth forecast unchanged at 810,000 b/d.
Opec made no reference to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran in its report, suggesting the hostilities have not affected its supply and demand balances. The Opec secretariat last week criticised the IEA for saying it was ready to release emergency oil stocks if necessary. Opec said there were currently "no developments in supply or market dynamics that warrant unnecessary actions" and that such statements raise "false alarms" and project "market fear."
Opec+ crude production — including Mexico — rose by 180,000 b/d to 41.23mn b/d in May, according to an average of secondary sources that includes Argus. Opec puts the call on Opec+ crude at 42.7mn b/d in 2025 and 43.2mn b/d in 2026.