FX.co ★ China boosts oil imports to record 39.5 million tons in April

China increased its oil imports to a record 39.5 million tons, or 9.64 million barrels per day in April, which is 4% more than the March level.

From January 2018, imports increased by 8.9% and amounted to 151.4 million tons.

China’s net exports of refined products decreased by 46% in April to 2.11 million tons from a record level of 3.94 million tons in March.

The volume of natural gas imports including pipeline and LNG imports increased to 6.82 million tons from 5.96 million tons a month earlier. In January-April, gas purchases abroad increased by 36% to 27.4 million tons.

Coal imports fell by 14% to 22.28 million tons in April. Since the beginning of the year, shipments have increased by 9.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching 97.68 million tons.

Purchases of iron ore decreased to 82.92 million tons from 85.79 million tons in March.