Iran was the top exporter of commodities through the Strait of Hormuz in March, as shipments from other countries has fallen off a cliff with Tehran’s blockade of the vital waterway, data by analytics firm Kpler has showed.

Iran is usually the fifth largest exporter of commodities — goods such as crude oil and other petroleum products, liquified natural gas (LNG), and dry bulk including fertilisers — through the strait.

But shipments by Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Qatar have dropped by at least 96 per cent each in March compared to the previous 12 months’ average, according to Kpler.

Iran’s shipments also fell — but by only 26 percent, the data showed.

Bahrain and Kuwait did not ship any commodities through the strait in March.

Qatar, normally a major LNG supplier, exported just 45,000 tonnes of butane and propane through the strait in March, and no LNG.