CIREC News Central Europe first half of 2025
Czech crude imports Jan-Jun 2025
Imports of crude to the Czech Republic totalled 3.183 million tons in the first half of 2025 against 3.150 million tons in the same period in 2024. Imports from Russia dropped from 1.099 million tons in the first six months last year to 526,900 tons in January to June 2025, with the last deliveries of Russian crude made in April. The Czech Republic will not purchase crude from Russia for the foreseeable future with all of its annual requirements facilitated through the expanded TAL pipeline. The pipeline which stretches from the coast of Italy passes through Austria and Germany before connecting to IKL in the Czech Republic.
| Czech Crude Imports (million tons) |
| Country |
Jan-Jun 25 |
Jan-Jun 24 |
| Azerbaijan |
1464.4 |
1244.6 |
| Kazakhstan |
549.7 |
501.5 |
| Russia |
526.9 |
1099.3 |
| Norway |
349.7 |
0.0 |
| Saudi Arabia |
206.6 |
0.0 |
| Others |
85.5 |
304.1 |
| Total |
3182.9 |
3149.5 |
| Av € per ton |
508.0 |
595.2 |
New suppliers to the Czech market this year include Norway and Saudi Arabia, in addition to the more established suppliers Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan was the largest supplier in the first half of 2025, shipping 1.464 million tons which was up from 1.245 million tons last year.
Hungarian crude imports Jan-Jun 2025
Russian crude oil flows into Hungary amounted to 2.572 million tons in the first six months this year from a total imported volume of 2.792 million tons. This measures against 2.110 million tons in January to June 2024 from a total of 2.540 million tons. Average prices for Russian crude dropped this year to €483.2 per ton from €509.6 per ton in 2025.
| Hungarian Crude Imports (kilo tons) |
| Country |
Jan-Jun 25 |
Jan-Jun 24 |
| Croatia |
162.0 |
0.0 |
| Iraq |
0.0 |
126.9 |
| Russia |
2,572.0 |
2,109.8 |
| Others |
57.1 |
303.6 |
| Total |
2791.2 |
2540.3 |
| Av € per ton |
438.5 |
509.6 |
KazMunayGaz (KMG) started delivery of the first shipment of Kazakh oil to the Danube refinery in early August, amounting to 85,000 tons. Sea transportation from the port of Novorossiysk to the Croatian port of Omisalj was provided by the Kazakh national carrier KazmorTransFlot (a subsidiary of KMG) on its tanker Alatau. The oil will be delivered to the Szazhalombatta refinery through the Adriatic Oil Pipeline, which is operated by the Croatian company JANAF. JANAF has agreed a total transit shipment of 2.1 million tons of oil with MOL until the end of 2025. In addition to the transit agreement, JANAF has signed a contract with MOL for storage of oil at the Omisalj terminal as well as at the Sisak terminal further along the pipeline route until the end of 2027.
To recap the EU and UK have lowered the price cap on Russian crude oil from $60 to $47.60 per barrel. This change is part of a broader effort to further restrict Russia s ability to finance its war in Ukraine by limiting its oil revenues. The new price cap will take effect on 3 September 2025, with a wind-down period for existing trades. The European Commission has outlined a roadmap to end Europe’s reliance on Russian energy, with plans to ban all Russian gas and liquefied natural gas imports to EU member states by the end of 2027.
Polish crude imports Jan-Jun 2025
From the total of 11.982 million tons of crude imported into Poland in the first six months in 2025, supplies from Saudi Arabia totalled 5.550 million tons followed by Norway which provided 3.479 million tons. Other suppliers included the US, UK and Nigeria. Guyana has started supplying Poland this year, but no deliveries have been taken from Kazakhstan which has been more focused on the German market. Average prices for Polish crude purchases dropped from $573.9 per ton in the first six months in in 2024 to $505.9 per ton in the first six months in 2025.
Summary archives from Last year :
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