Dashboard

The map depicts net import flows from outside the EU in red. Net export flows leaving EU countries are shown in blue. Using the timeline at the bottom, you can select a specific period from January 2021 onwards. You can enter a selection of countries in the search box in the top right-hand corner, over which the selected products in the box on the left will be shown. By using the ‘play’ button, you will see an animation of changing import relationships. You can zoom in and out either by using the mouse or via the arrows in the top right-hand corner.

The map’s default setting is to depict net diesel imports for the Netherlands only. In this way, the map shows that the Netherlands has an exceptionally high level of diesel production relative to its domestic use. The presence of various refineries makes the Netherlands the largest diesel exporter in the EU. By removing the Netherlands from the selection box in the top right-hand corner, you will see the net import flows of diesel for all EU countries.

Where diesel is concerned, the EU as a whole has a net deficit which must be supplemented by external imports. The map shows that in 2021 and 2022 many of the EU diesel imports came from Russia. After the introduction of sanctions on Russian crude oil and refined products, there was no more direct oil trade with Russia. Diesel imports from the Middle East, the United States and India increased.

By using the selection box on the left, you can also explore the net import position of other refined products and crude oil. The Netherlands and the EU have a gasoline production surplus. Countries in North and South America and in Africa import these products from Europe, specifically from Amsterdam. You can see this by selecting ‘Gasoline’ from the list.

Data shown on the interactive map originates from Eurostat (consulted on 4 October 2024). The data used is publicly available on the site of the European statistics office (see import and export). The Eurostat data can be revised retrospectively and is therefore always the guiding principle.

The data shown reflects the data reports from 27 EU Member States. In various countries and for most energy commodities, it is compulsory for companies to supply data. Definitions, concepts and methodologies in respect of energy statistics have been harmonised at international level. The methodology is described in the Energy Statistics Manual.

COVA performs a number of actions in order to present the Eurostat data with greater clarity on the interactive map. The most important one of these is that the map depicts net import relationships. The net import figure is calculated by deducting the monthly export figure from the import figure.

As often occurs with aggregated data, inconsistencies may arise between the import from country B reported by country A and the export to country A reported by country B. Eurostat and the reporting countries perform validation and quality tests to eliminate major inconsistencies from the reports. However, data analysis by COVA reveals that trade statistics of two countries are sometimes contradictory. For this reason, the interactive map shows trade between EU countries as reported by the net importing country.

The Eurostat energy data of partner countries by origin and destination has been reported in accordance with a predefined list of 162 partner countries. If there is no information about origin or destination of a partner country, or if this information may not be reported for reasons of confidentiality, reporting countries have classified this information as ‘not specified’. On the map, trade with the country ‘not specified’ are shown as flows to and from a spot in the Atlantic.

If you have any questions about the underlying data, please contact the statistics office Eurostat and/or the relevant government body of the country concerned.