Saudi crude exports rose 7.9% in August to their highest level since March, despite production falling to a record low

Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports increased 7.9% from July to 4.451 million barrels per day in August, their highest level since March, according to figures released Wednesday by the Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI).

The rise came as crude production dropped to a record low of 6.24 million barrels per day, from 8.135 million in July. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter; it and other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries submit monthly export figures for publication on JODI’s website.

Saudi refinery crude throughput fell by 181,000 barrels per day to 2.297 million in August, from 2.478 million the previous month. Direct crude burning, meanwhile, rose by 43,000 barrels per day to 604,097.