Netherlands says 'difficult' to track product origin, remains among top buyers as India continues Russian oil purchase
Mint - Economy · Published 10 November 2026 · Last updated
The Netherlands has stated that tracking the origin of petroleum products is difficult due to supply chain blending, raising enforcement questions regarding European Union sanctions on Russian crude while remaining a top buyer of Indian petroleum products.
Key points
- The Netherlands stated that tracking the origin of petroleum products is difficult due to blending across the supply chain, raising enforcement questions over European Union sanctions on Russian crude oil.
- The Netherlands serves as the third-largest buyer of India's petroleum products and acts as the gateway for petro-product supplies to the European Union through the port of Rotterdam.
- India remains the second-largest buyer of Russian crude exports after China, with Moscow accounting for nearly half of India's overall oil import basket.
- Pieter ten Bruggencate, spokesperson for Netherlands climate and green growth minister Stientje van Veldhoven-van der Meer, stated in an emailed response that it is difficult for any nation to track oil origins because they are mixed in multiple places.
- India exported $2.78 billion worth of petroleum products to the Netherlands during the April-August period according to data from India's commerce and industry ministry.
- C. Uday Bhaskar, director at the Society for Policy Studies, stated that European petroleum product imports reflect double standards in global energy markets given that the United States is also importing diesel from Russia.
- The Embassy of The Netherlands in New Delhi noted that as of 21 January 2026, the European Union prohibits importing petroleum products refined in third countries from Russian-origin crude oil, requiring importers to provide origin evidence.
- Reliance Industries Limited stated on 26 November 2025 that it stopped importing Russian crude oil into its Special Economic Zone refinery effective 20 November, completing the transition ahead of schedule to ensure full compliance with restrictions.
Background
- In November 2022, the Netherlands emerged as the top destination for India's petroleum product exports.
- As of August, Russian oil supplies stood at $33.77 billion, accounting for about 45% of India's total oil imports of $77.56 billion during the April-August period according to commerce ministry data.
- The European Union announced restrictions on the import of products produced from Russian crude starting 21 January 2026.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: Mint - Economy