Armenia imported nearly $18 million in fuel from Azerbaijan in first half of 2026, while exports remained at zero

(Horizon Media / YEREVAN) – According to an investigation by Hetq, Armenia imported nearly $18 million worth of goods from Azerbaijan during the first half of 2026, while no exports from Armenia to Azerbaijan were recorded during the same period.

Data from Armenia’s Customs Service show that almost all imports from Azerbaijan consisted of petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel fuel, valued at $17.8 million. Armenia also imported about $109,000 worth of plastic construction components.

Fuel imports from Azerbaijan began in December 2025 and quickly became the subject of political and economic debate. The Armenian government presented the move as a step toward economic cooperation and the broader peace process, while opposition figures strongly criticized the policy.

Hetq calculated that Armenia imported approximately $299 million worth of petroleum products in total during the first half of 2026, meaning Azerbaijan accounted for about 6 percent of those imports.

During the same period, Turkey became Armenia’s largest supplier of petroleum products, with imports reaching approximately $61 million and accounting for about 20 percent of the total. Imports from Turkey increased roughly 3.5 times compared with the same period last year.

At the same time, Russia’s share declined sharply, falling from 46 percent to 19 percent. Armenia imported approximately $58 million worth of petroleum products from Russia during the first six months of the year. Imports from Iran and Bulgaria also increased.

Despite repeated statements by Armenian officials about expanding trade and economic ties with Azerbaijan, customs statistics show that Armenia exported no goods to Azerbaijan during the first half of 2026.

Nikol Pashinyan had previously expressed hope that Armenian exports to Azerbaijan would begin in the near future. Armenian and Azerbaijani business representatives have also held discussions this year, but the first-half trade figures indicate that those contacts have yet to produce tangible results for Armenian exporters.