China's Russian oil imports rise 16.7% in first half of year

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China increased its imports of Russian crude oil by 16.7% year-on-year to 57.28 million metric tons in January-June 2026, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China. The value of the shipments increased by 31.1% to $33.13 billion. In the first half of 2025, China imported 49.11 million metric tons of crude oil from Russia worth $25.27 billion.

The figures, reported by TASS, cover a broader pattern of growing trade between the two countries across energy, agriculture, metals, and manufactured goods.

Coverage Comparison

All the data in this report comes from the General Administration of Customs of China, as carried by TASS. The reports cover different commodity categories, each showing year-on-year increases for the first half of 2026.

TASS reported China's LNG imports from Russia rose 27.8% by volume to 3.59 million metric tons, with the value up 8.2% to $1.81 billion. The value of all Russian natural gas imports, including pipeline gas, totaled $4.65 billion in the period.

In fertilizers, China increased the value of imports from Russia by 58.6% to $1.10 billion. Potash fertilizers made up the bulk, with import value rising 59.8% to $1.03 billion, while nitrogen fertilizer imports fell 78.2% to $49,900.

Metals imports also grew: unwrought aluminum rose 24.1% in value to $3.76 billion, unwrought nickel rose 43% to $693.59 million, and unwrought refined copper and copper alloys added 3.3% to $2.35 billion. Combined imports of these three categories rose 17.5% to $6.8 billion.

On the export side, TASS reported China's shipments of integrated circuits to Russia surged 183.4% in value to $73.73 million. Exports of automatic data processing equipment and parts grew 18.1% to $1.1 billion. Smartphone shipments increased 14.7% in value to $944.93 million, although the number of devices fell 21.7% to 5.95 million units.

Passenger car exports to Russia climbed 134.7% to $6.24 billion, truck shipments rose 55.2% to $456.17 million, and components added 14.3% to $1.19 billion. The combined value of passenger cars, trucks, and components jumped 97.4% to $7.89 billion. TASS calculated that these categories accounted for about 13% of total Chinese exports to Russia, which rose 28.4% to $60.6 billion in the first half.

Key Claims

• China's crude oil imports from Russia rose 16.7% year-on-year to 57.28 million metric tons in January-June 2026, with the value up 31.1% to $33.13 billion (TASS, citing Chinese customs data).
• LNG imports rose 27.8% by volume to 3.59 million metric tons, with the value up 8.2% to $1.81 billion (TASS, citing Chinese customs data).
• The value of natural gas imports, including pipeline gas, totaled $4.65 billion in the first half of 2026 (TASS, citing Chinese customs data).
• Fertilizer imports rose 58.6% in value to $1.10 billion, with potash up 59.8% to $1.03 billion; nitrogen fertilizer imports fell 78.2% (TASS, citing Chinese customs data).
• Unwrought aluminum imports rose 24.1% to $3.76 billion, unwrought nickel rose 43% to $693.59 million, and unwrought refined copper and copper alloys rose 3.3% to $2.35 billion (TASS, citing Chinese customs data).
• Integrated circuit exports rose 183.4% to $73.73 million; automatic data processing equipment and parts rose 18.1% to $1.1 billion; smartphones rose 14.7% in value to $944.93 million (TASS, citing Chinese customs data).
• Passenger car exports rose 134.7% to $6.24 billion; trucks rose 55.2% to $456.17 million; components rose 14.3% to $1.19 billion (TASS, citing Chinese customs data).
• The combined value of passenger cars, trucks, and components rose 97.4% to $7.89 billion, about 13% of total Chinese exports to Russia (TASS calculation).