Algeria Becomes Europe’s Leading Naphtha Supplier as Imports Surge in July
Europe’s naphtha imports rose sharply in July 2026, with Algeria emerging as the continent’s leading supplier amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Total European naphtha imports increased by 39.2% compared with June, rising by around 490,000 tonnes to reach 1.74 million tonnes, up from 1.25 million tonnes the previous month.
Naphtha is a light liquid petroleum product obtained during crude oil refining. It is widely used as a key feedstock in the petrochemical and refining industries.
Algeria ranked first among Europe’s naphtha suppliers in July, delivering approximately 397,400 tonnes. This represented the country’s highest monthly shipment to Europe since May of the previous year, according to Argus Media data based on figures from Vortexa.
Geopolitical developments and escalating tensions in the Middle East contributed to changes in European supply patterns, supporting increased imports of Algerian naphtha.
Algeria also significantly increased its naphtha exports to Asian markets. Shipments to Asia climbed from around 292,000 tonnes in June to 441,000 tonnes in July.
Italy ranked as Europe’s second-largest naphtha supplier during the month, with approximately 264,700 tonnes, followed by Spain with 212,300 tonnes and the United States with 160,800 tonnes.
The figures highlight Algeria’s growing role in supplying international petroleum-product markets at a time when geopolitical uncertainty is reshaping global energy trade flows.
