Russia Surpasses Saudi Arabia as Top Crude Supplier to China

Moscow's seaborne crude exports to China hit record highs in January amid falling Indian imports and US pressure on New Delhi

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Russia has outpaced Saudi Arabia as China's top crude oil supplier, with Moscow's seaborne crude shipments to China reaching a record 1.86 million barrels per day (bpd) in January - a 46% increase year-over-year. This shift comes as Chinese demand remains strong while Indian and Turkish imports have weakened due to sanctions and trade pressures. The deepening energy ties between Russia and China are reshaping the Asian oil trade, with Moscow exporting record volumes to its largest buyer and Beijing securing discounted supply with limited additional risk.

Why it matters

The surge in Russian crude exports to China is a significant development, as it reflects Moscow's ability to reroute its energy exports to Asia in response to Western sanctions. This shift also highlights China's growing reliance on Russian energy supplies, which could have broader geopolitical implications as tensions between the West and Russia continue.

The details

Russia's seaborne crude shipments to China hit a record 1.86 million barrels per day (bpd) in January, up 46% year-on-year. This pushed Moscow past Saudi Arabia to become China's top crude supplier for the month, with Saudi Arabia exporting roughly 1.2 million bpd. The rise in Russian supplies follows weaker Indian and Turkish demand amid sanctions and trade pressures, while China is also reportedly ramping up its imports of Urals crude, a major Russian export grade.

  • Russia's seaborne crude shipments to China reached a record 1.86 million bpd in January 2026.
  • This represents a 46% increase year-over-year from January 2025.

The players

Russia

A major global oil exporter that has rerouted most of its energy exports to Asia, particularly to India and China, in response to Western sanctions.

China

The world's largest crude oil importer, which has been increasing its reliance on Russian energy supplies amid the country's deepening energy ties with Moscow.

Saudi Arabia

A long-standing major crude oil supplier to China, which has now been surpassed by Russia as China's top crude supplier.

India

A major importer of Russian oil that has faced pressure from the US to curb its purchases of Russian energy.

Aleksandr Daniltsev

Director of the Trade Policy Institute at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE), who provided expert commentary on the trends in Russia's energy exports to China.

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What they’re saying

“Physical volumes are increasing steadily”

— Aleksandr Daniltsev, Director of the Trade Policy Institute at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE)

“If tensions escalate, for example with Iran, a key supplier to China, Russia's importance could increase further”

— Aleksandr Daniltsev, Director of the Trade Policy Institute at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE)

What’s next

Analysts will continue to monitor the evolving energy trade dynamics between Russia and China, as well as the potential impact of geopolitical tensions on Russia's role as a key crude supplier to the world's largest importer.

The takeaway

The surge in Russian crude exports to China highlights Moscow's ability to reroute its energy supplies to Asia in response to Western sanctions, as well as China's growing reliance on Russian energy. This shift in the global oil trade could have broader geopolitical implications as tensions between the West and Russia persist.