Afghanistan, Central Asia boost fuel imports from Russia, Belarus

Reuters reported that Afghanistan and countries in Central Asia have significantly increased fuel imports from Russia and Belarus amid reduced supplies from the Middle East.

Citing trade sources, the report said fuel shipments to Afghanistan and the wider Central Asian region rose by more than 50% in the first quarter of the year, mainly via rail routes.

Total imports between January and March reached about 3.347 million tonnes, reflecting a major shift in regional energy supply chains driven by geopolitical and market changes.

Afghanistan recorded one of the sharpest increases, with imports from Russia and Belarus rising fourfold year-on-year to around 530,000 tonnes under Taliban authorities.

The surge highlights Afghanistan’s growing reliance on northern supply routes as economic pressures and fuel demand remain high.

Following European Union sanctions on Russian oil products in 2023, Moscow redirected exports toward alternative markets, including Afghanistan and Central Asia.

At the same time, reduced Middle Eastern supplies and shifting trade patterns have accelerated the region’s dependence on Russian and Belarusian fuel sources.

The trend underscores a broader realignment in energy markets, with Afghanistan emerging as a key destination for Russian fuel amid ongoing global supply disruptions.

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