The IMF sharply raised its forecast for world oil prices

The average exchange price of the world's main oil brands will increase sharply in 2026 compared to the figure for 2025. RIA Novosti reports this with reference to the forecast of analysts of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

We are talking about the arithmetic average. The fund calculates it as a simple average of prices for the most popular brands, including North Sea Brent, Middle Eastern Dubai Fateh and American WTI.

At the end of the year, according to the forecast of the international organization, the figure will increase by 41 percent and reach $95.74. For comparison, in 2025 the average oil price was $67.74. In 2027, experts expect a decrease of 8.7 percent, to $87.39.

Market participants cite the prolonged blockage of the Strait of Hormuz as the main reason for maintaining world oil prices at a high level. The war between the United States and Iran in the Middle East has led to widespread disruptions in the supply of Middle Eastern raw materials and petroleum products through a key logistics artery in the region. Disruption of shipping, coupled with attacks by Iran and the Houthis on the energy infrastructure of the Persian Gulf countries, in turn, hit global supply, causing oil prices to skyrocket.