Russian Diesel Exports to Hit Record Highs Despite Sanctions from the West

Although Russian oil and oil products are facing various sanctions from western countries, other countries, such as Turkey and Morocco, have stepped up their procurement efforts, so that the export volume of Russian diesel oil is expected to set a monthly record in March.

In the first 19 days of March, Russia exported about 1.5 million barrels per day of diesel-based fuel, according to data compiled by Vortexa, an energy intelligence firm. If this export rate is maintained, exports in this month will be the highest level since Vortexa began tracking the data in early 2016.

The Vortexa data also shows that the peak of Russian diesel exports was in last December, when the export rate was recorded at 1.2 million barrels per day. Then it fell slightly for two consecutive months. In February 2023, the data was around 1.1 million barrels per day.