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Petroleum Sales Surge Amid Inventory Decline In January 2026

Strong Annual Growth Fueled By Shipping And Aviation Demand

Total petroleum product sales climbed 11.2% year-over-year in January 2026 to 118,460 tons, according to data from the Statistical Service of Cyprus. Growth was driven mainly by a 175.3% increase in oil deliveries for shipping and a 23.2% rise in aviation fuel supplies.

Diverse Product Performance

Heating oil sales rose 25.2%, while liquefied petroleum gas increased 13.4% and asphalt sales grew 13.2%. At the same time, light fuel oil declined 62.3% and heavy fuel oil fell 12.1%. Kerosene sales decreased 1.6%, while gasoline remained broadly stable with a marginal increase of 0.3%.

Retail Channel Uptick

Sales through service stations reached 58,500 tons, up 3.5% year-over-year. The data show steady retail demand despite mixed performance across fuel categories.

Month-On-Month Dynamics

Compared with December 2025, total petroleum sales fell 3.9% in January 2026. Aviation fuel supplies declined 10.0%, gasoline sales dropped 13.1%, and kerosene fell 11.9%. Marine fuel deliveries moved in the opposite direction, rising 15.6% month-on-month.

Market Implications

Annual data show stronger demand from shipping and aviation, while monthly figures indicate short-term fluctuations across several fuel categories. The divergence suggests shifting demand patterns that may reflect seasonal factors and operational adjustments in key sectors.

Cyprus And Greece Outline Joint Tourism Plans For Summer 2026

Strategic Partnership Enhances Tourism Prospects

The Cyprus Tourism Authority (EOT Cyprus) presented proposals for summer 2026 focused on strengthening tourism cooperation between Cyprus and Greece, with joint efforts aimed at attracting visitors from long-haul markets.

Greece: The Top Destination For Cypriot Travelers

At an event on April 28, Athena Spakouri, Director of EOT Cyprus, said Greece is expected to remain the main travel destination for Cypriot residents, with plans extending beyond established locations to include lesser-known regions. This approach reflects a broader effort to diversify travel options while maintaining strong demand between the two countries.

Complementary Destinations, Unified Vision

Building on this, Spakouri noted that Cyprus and Greece offer complementary tourism experiences rather than competing directly. Joint programmes are therefore being positioned to attract visitors from markets such as the United States and China, while tourism activity continues to be assessed in the context of broader geopolitical developments.

Robust Air And Sea Connectivity

Supporting this cooperation, Konstantinos Kollias said around 600,000 Cypriots travelled to Greece in 2025. Frequent flights, short travel times, and ferry connections between Limassol and Piraeus continue to facilitate movement between the two countries and sustain travel flows.

Diverse Tourism Offerings for a New Era

Konstantinos Kollias highlighted that Greece’s tourism portfolio spans from traditional seaside holidays to sectors such as cultural, religious, gastronomic, agritourism, ecotourism, spa, conference, and medical tourism.

This range reflects the expansion of tourism offerings across different segments and travel preferences. In parallel, Joseph Iosif referred to Greece as a “second homeland” for Cypriot travellers, pointing to longstanding cultural and travel links between the two countries.

Innovative Programs And Strengthened Connections

Building on this approach, the EOT strategy includes initiatives focused on gastronomic routes, cultural trails, thematic and religious tourism, as well as curated city breaks in destinations such as Athens and Thessaloniki. These programmes were presented at the event alongside references to historical, cultural, and religious connections between Cyprus and Greece, including remarks from Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria.

Boosting Air Connectivity And Island Accessibility

At the same time, airlines including Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Cyprus Airways outlined plans to expand connections between Cyprus and Greece, with a focus on increasing access to island destinations. The event also brought together stakeholders from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Hermes Airports, tour operators, and ACTAA, reflecting coordination across different parts of the tourism sector.

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