Turkey Emerges as Top Buyer of Russian Diesel Amid EU Embargo

The total embargo imposed by the European Union on Russian oil products since February 5 has prompted traders to redirect diesel exports to Africa, Asia and the Middle East, which were previously destined for Europe, Reuters reports. Since the beginning of June, Russia has shipped approximately 0.9 million tons of diesel to Turkey.

Brazil and Africa are also among the destinations for Russian diesel exports. Brazil has received about 280,000 tons since the beginning of the month, while Africa, notably Ghana, Morocco and Togo, has received about 550,000 tons of diesel from Russia.

In February, Morocco had acknowledged importing Russian diesel. "Morocco is likely to import Russian fuel as it imports Russian coal. Nothing prevents Rabat from doing so," said the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, during a parliamentary session, adding that "nothing also prevents importing cereals from Russia or Ukraine." However, he had specified that some international banks refuse to finance imports from Russia.