Algeria has made significant strides in its hydrocarbon exports, shipping nine exceptional cargoes of petroleum products via maritime routes, totaling 3.4 million barrels, from January to September 2026. According to data from the Energy Research Unit, these exports reached eight countries, including Oman, Egypt, and Libya. This development occurs amidst heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has resulted in navigation challenges in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for oil exports from Gulf countries.
The export volume for the first nine months of 2026 averaged approximately 298,000 barrels per day, marking a slight decrease from 310,000 barrels per day during the same period in 2025. Oman emerged as the leading destination for these exceptional cargoes, with a shipment of around 1.4 million barrels in September 2026. This was the second such expedition in several years, following a smaller volume in December 2025, which was the first recorded since at least 2017.
Indonesia secured the second position, with two cargoes amounting to 960,000 barrels. The first shipment, consisting of 199,000 barrels, was dispatched in April, while the second, comprising 761,000 barrels, was delivered in August. These shipments signify a resumption of deliveries to Indonesia, the first since June 2022. Additionally, the United States received a cargo of over 313,000 barrels in August 2026, marking the first since March 2023.
Other countries that received Algerian petroleum products include Bulgaria, which imported more than 256,000 barrels in May, the first since September 2020. Libya received a cargo of 251,000 barrels of gasoline in April, the first since October 2024. Taiwan was another recipient, with 124,000 barrels in September, the first since July 2023. Egypt received a shipment of over 44,000 barrels in June 2026, the first since April 2020.
Furthermore, Guinea received more than 24,000 barrels in July, the first since January 2021. These exports highlight Algeria's expanding reach in the global petroleum market. The diversity of countries receiving these shipments underscores the strategic importance of Algeria's hydrocarbon sector.
In terms of overall imports, South Korea maintained its position as the top importer of Algerian petroleum products for the first nine months of 2026, with an average of 61,000 barrels per day, down from 86,000 barrels per day in the same period of 2025. The United States followed, with 58,000 barrels per day, compared to 63,000 the previous year. Japan ranked third, with 28,000 barrels per day.
The rankings continued with Belgium in fourth place, importing an average of 26,000 barrels per day, up from 22,000 barrels per day in the corresponding period of 2025. France rounded out the top five, with 19,000 barrels per day, an increase from 16,000 barrels per day the previous year. These figures demonstrate the sustained demand for Algerian petroleum products in key markets.
Key points
- Algeria exported 3.4 million barrels of petroleum products to eight countries between January and September 2026.
- Oman was the leading destination for these exports, with 1.4 million barrels shipped in September 2026.
- South Korea remained the top importer of Algerian petroleum products, with an average of 61,000 barrels per day.
