According to China's General Administration of Customs, Russia has maintained its position as a major oil supplier to China for several consecutive years. In 2025, China purchased 100.723 million tonnes of oil from Russia, which was 7.1% less than in 2024. This recent surge in oil deliveries has contributed significantly to China's overall oil imports. The value of these imports has also seen a substantial increase.
In the first eight months of 2026, Russia supplied 77.653 million tonnes of oil to China, representing an 18.1% year-on-year increase. The total value of these oil purchases was $44.842 billion, up 33.4% from the same period in 2025. During that time, China bought 65.75 million tonnes of oil from Russia for $33.615 billion. This significant increase in both volume and value highlights the growing energy trade between Russia and China.
The trend of increasing oil deliveries from Russia to China continued in August 2026. China imported 11.223 million tonnes of oil from Russia, worth $6.473 billion. This represents a 41.37% year-on-year increase in volume and a 64.1% increase in value. Such substantial growth underscores the strengthening economic ties between the two nations, particularly in the energy sector.
Russia's consistent position as a major oil supplier to China can be attributed to various factors, including strategic partnerships and agreements between the two countries. These partnerships often involve long-term contracts and collaborations in the energy sector, ensuring a stable and growing supply of oil from Russia to China.
The increase in oil deliveries from Russia to China has significant implications for both countries' economies. For Russia, it represents a substantial revenue stream, while for China, it helps meet the country's growing energy demands. This growing trade relationship also reflects the broader geopolitical dynamics at play, as countries seek to diversify their energy sources and strengthen economic ties.
China's reliance on imported oil underscores the country's efforts to secure energy supplies to fuel its economic growth. With domestic oil production limited, China continues to look to international markets, including Russia, to meet its energy needs. This reliance highlights the importance of stable and growing energy imports for China's sustained economic development.
The growth in Russia's oil deliveries to China is part of a broader trend of increasing energy cooperation between the two nations. As both countries continue to navigate the complexities of the global energy landscape, their partnership in this sector is likely to remain a key aspect of their bilateral relationship. This cooperation could have far-reaching implications for global energy markets and geopolitics.
Key points
- Russia supplied 77.653 million tonnes of oil to China in the first eight months of 2026, an 18.1% year-on-year increase.
- The total value of China's oil purchases from Russia in the first eight months of 2026 was $44.842 billion, up 33.4% from the same period in 2025.
- In August 2026, China imported 11.223 million tonnes of oil from Russia, worth $6.473 billion, representing a 41.37% year-on-year increase in volume and a 64.1% increase in value.
