How much did Middle East jet fuel imports to Europe drop between March and April, and what was the IEA's assessment of Europe's replacement efforts?

Middle East jet fuel arrivals into Europe plummeted from 330,000 barrels per day (bpd) in March to just 60,000 bpd in April, according to the IEA’s monthly report. The agency stated that European net imports of jet fuel in April reached only 70% of their March level — falling short of the IEA’s recommended minimum replacement rate of 80%, and far below the preferred 90%, needed to avoid summer shortages.

Which alternative suppliers did Europe turn to for jet fuel after the Middle East shortfall, and were those increases sufficient to offset the loss?

Europe increased jet fuel imports from the United States and Nigeria, but these gains were insufficient to compensate for the sharp decline from the Middle East; Kpler data showed those combined flows totaled 221,000 bpd in April, while the IEA emphasized that supply chains from the U.S. Gulf Coast and Nigeria are now 'stretching to cover a much larger gap' amid persistently low Middle East supplies and declining European inventories.

Europe Falling Short on Replacing Middle East Jet Fuel Imports, IEA Says

May 13, 2026

The IEA reports Europe imported only 70% of March jet fuel volumes in April, failing to offset a sharp drop in Middle East supplies due to regional conflicts. Supply chains are straining as inventories deplete without sufficient replacement flows from the U.S. or Nigeria.

reuters

2026-05-13

Europe Falling Short on Replacing Middle East Jet Fuel Imports, IEA Says

2026-09-11

Global 2026 oil supply gap to deepen on delayed return of normal Gulf flows, IEA says

Europe Falling Short on Replacing Middle East Jet Fuel Imports, IEA Says

FAQ