Five Arab nations, including Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, ranked among the top importers of Russian fuel in 2024, with Libya emerging as the third-largest importer globally after Turkey and Brazil.
Despite declining export volumes, Russian fuel remains in demand in these regions amid ongoing global economic shifts and Western sanctions imposed on Russia since the Ukraine crisis in 2022.
According to data from the Washington-based Energy Research Unit, Russia’s diesel and gas oil exports dropped by 6.6% during the first nine months of 2024.
Exports averaged 932,000 barrels per day (bpd), down from 998,000 bpd during the same period in 2023.
Specifically, the third quarter of 2024 saw an 8.7% decrease in Russian diesel exports, averaging 823,000 bpd, compared to 902,000 bpd during the same quarter in 2023.
While facing ongoing economic restrictions, Russia continues to supply fuel to regions around the world.
Turkey has led the charge, importing an average of 366,700 bpd in the first nine months of 2024, an increase from 325,700 bpd in 2023, accounting for roughly 40% of Russia’s total diesel exports.
Brazil follows Turkey, representing 20% of Russian diesel exports, with an average of 190,120 bpd.
Libya ranked third, importing 45,100 bpd on average, while Egypt imported an average of 39,900 bpd, making it the fourth-largest importer.
Tunisia closed out the top five, importing an average of 35,100 bpd in 2024.
These figures reflect sustained demand in North Africa and the Middle East for Russian diesel despite broader geopolitical pressures, as regional economies continue to rely on Russian fuel to meet their energy needs.
