13:05 - 22.08.2026

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August 22, Fineko/abc.az. Driven by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, China has sharply expanded its seaborne Russian crude imports, with August volumes estimated at 1.25 million barrels per day (bpd).

Chinese buyers are increasingly redirecting Russian barrels from European loading ports that previously supplied Indian refineries. Consequently, India’s imports of Russian crude dropped from 2.79 million bpd in July to 1.87 million bpd in August.

Should the raw material shortfall persist, India may curtail its gasoline and diesel exports starting in September, further exacerbating the refined product deficit across Asia.