Where did we get our fuel this year? From Saudi Arabia to the US. The import map changes
The peak of the tourist season has coincided with a significant increase in fuel imports, in a period when internal movements, the arrival of emigrants and the influx of tourists increase. INSTAT data show that during January-July 2026, Albania imported about 710 thousand tons of the group "Mineral fuels, mineral oils and their distillation products", with a value of 53.7 billion lek.
Compared to the same period last year, the imported quantity increased by 6.3%, while the invoice expanded by 10.9%. The average value per kilogram also increased, from about 72.4 to 75.5 lek.
In July alone, imports of this group reached about 140 thousand tons, worth 10.2 billion lek, the highest monthly level this year. Customs data on cleared fuels also show an increase. In July, 75.7 thousand tons were imported, up from 70.9 thousand tons a year earlier.
But the most interesting change is seen in the countries of supply. In the seven-month total, supplies remain concentrated in a few main partners. Saudi Arabia holds the largest share, with about 17.5% of the import bill, followed by Italy with 15.9%, Greece with 14%, the USA with 9.3% and Algeria with 8.4%. Together, these five countries provide about 65% of imports of the group of mineral fuels, mineral oils and distillation products during January-July 2026.
In July, the ranking changes significantly. The US emerges as the main supplier, with around 3.46 billion lek, while Kuwait appears in second place with around 2 billion lek. Together, these two countries represent over half of the month's bill.
The contrast with Saudi Arabia is stark. Although it leads the seven-month period, imports from it fell to just 415 thousand lek in July. The shift certainly comes at a time of tensions in energy markets.
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