North Africa diesel exports to Europe surge as Russia digs deeper into Ukraine
Europe has been looking for alternative sources of oil and gas in light of Western sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine war.
North African countries have increased diesel exports to Europe while importing more of the fuel from Russia after the country invaded Ukraine in February last year, according to data shared with Al-Monitor.
In March this year, Morocco imported the most Russian diesel of the North African countries, shipping in 108,000 barrels per day (bpd), data from commodities firm Kpler shows. Tunisia and Libya are also active importers followed by Egypt. March has seen North African countries import 257,000 bpd of diesel from Russia, the highest amount since the beginning of the Ukraine war.
At the same time, North Africa has also seen its fuel exports, especially to Europe, rise since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 23, 2022. Egypt has been by far the biggest diesel exporter in North Africa to Europe since the conflict began, the data shows. In March, it is projected to export 46,000 bpd to Europe, while Libya follows with 23,000 bpd.
North African countries are also snapping up other oil and gas products from Russia at discounted rates, analysts say.
