France resumes Azerbaijani oil imports after months-long pause

France imported Azerbaijani oil in July for the first time in 2025, purchasing 81,700 metric tons worth $41.3 million, according to data from Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee.

In 2024, France imported 152,570 tons worth $88.2 million.

The July shipment came amid reports that Romania halted purchases of Azerbaijani crude due to contamination with organic chlorides. According to Eni and OMV, tainted crude was detected in storage tanks at Turkey’s Ceyhan terminal between July 18–21. Italy, however, continued buying and imported 1.61 million tons in July alone, bringing its total to 8.43 million tons worth $4.42 billion in the first seven months.

Overall, Azerbaijan exported 14.47 million tons of oil to 19 countries in January–July, earning $7.66 billion — down from 14.7 million tons worth $9.24 billion in the same period of 2024.

Top buyers included the Czech Republic (1.03 million tons), Croatia (0.83 million), Portugal (0.71 million), Germany (0.66 million) and the UK (0.46 million).

N.Tebrizli