China's oil throughput in May falls to a nearly four-year low
China's crude oil throughput fell 9.1% in May compared to a year ago, according to official data released on Tuesday. The country's refineries were forced to cut back on production due high crude prices and the U.S./Israeli war against Iran. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the world's second largest oil consumer processed 53.72 millions metric tons or 12.65million barrels per day,?reaching the lowest level since august 2022. The first five months of the year saw a total output of 292.8 million tons. This is a 2.2% decrease from a previous year.
China's coal region will expand coal to oil output as part of energy security drive
China's coal-producing region plans to build China's largest base to convert?coal to oil, gas, and chemicals, to reduce the country's reliance on imported energy. The war with Iran has heightened China's attention to energy security. Inner Mongolia is also China's leading producer of renewable energies, which makes it a microcosm for the country's complex energy transition. Its reliance on oil from abroad and relative abundance of coal are a microcosm for China's energy transition.
Indian Crude Imports Up More Than 3% Month-on-Month in April
India's crude oil imports rose more than 3% month-on-month in April to 20.08 million metric tons, government data showed.On a yearly basis, crude oil imports slipped 4.3%, from 20.99 million tons in April 2025, data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell showed.India is the third-largest importer and consumer of oil globally so the data is a key indicator of its demand.Imports of crude oil products fell over 40% on a yearly basis to 2.34 million tons in April, while product exports declined about 14.6% to 3.45 million tons.Since the start of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran…
India palm oil imports continue to be below average in May despite a slight increase.
India's palm-oil imports rose in May after a four month low. However, they remained below normal levels as refiners purchased more soyoil, which was cheaper, following the waning of palm oil's price advantage. Stocks in the top two producers, Indonesia and Malaysia could grow due to lower-than-normal imports by the largest buyer of vegetable oil in the world. This would put pressure on Malaysian palm futures. The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA), in a press release, said that India's imports of palm oil?in may were up 7% compared to April, at 549,356 metric tonnes.
China's coal region will expand coal to oil output as part of energy security drive
China's coal-producing region is planning to build China's largest 'base' for converting coal into oil and gas, chemicals, and other products to reduce the country's reliance on imported energy. The war with Iran has heightened China's focus on energy security. Inner Mongolia is also China's leading producer of "renewable energy", making it a microcosm for the country's complex energy transition. Its reliance on oil and coal, as well as its relative abundance, are a microcosm for China's energy transition.
Saudi Crude Supply to China Remain at Record Low in July
Saudi Arabia's crude oil sales to China are expected to stay at record lows in July as elevated prices in the wake of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran continue to weigh on demand from the world's largest crude importer, sources familiar with the matter said.The allocations, closely watched by market participants as a gauge of Chinese demand, indicate that refiners remain reluctant to import high-priced barrels following run cuts and as they draw on domestic inventories.Saudi crude shipments also remain somewhat constrained by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz…
Russell Russell: China's major imports show that price is still the main driver of prices for commodities imported from China.
China's trade in commodities in May showed that price movements are the main driver of changes in flows. Crude oil imports have fallen to a record low of 7.79 million barrels a day (bpd) - the lowest in eight years. The fallout from the war in Iran is blamed for the 29% drop in crude imports. Prior to the beginning of the conflict, on February 28, crude imports were at around 11 million barrels per day. As a result of the war, the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed. This caused Middle East crude oil to rise sharply as 10 million barrels per day of supply were lost.
Russell Russell: China's major imports show that price is still the main driver of prices for commodities imported from China.
China's May trade in commodities highlighted that price movements are the primary drivers of changes in flows. The most eye-catching number from the Monday customs data is the fall in crude oil imports, which has fallen to an 8-year low of only 7.79 million barrels a day (bpd). The war in Iran was blamed for the 29% drop in crude imports. Prior to the beginning of the conflict, on February 28, crude imports were at 11 million bpd. As a result of the war, the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed. This caused Middle East crude oil to rise sharply as 10 million barrels per day of supply were lost.
China's oil imports continue to decline as volumes in May hit an eight-year low
China's crude imports in May fell 29%, to the lowest level?in 8 years. This is a continuation of a sharp drop that has been seen by the world's largest oil importer. Customs data on Tuesday showed that imports fell to 33.08 millions tons or 7.79 billion barrels per day - the lowest since February 2018. Imports in April fell to a multiyear low of 9.3 millions bpd. Chinese refiners had to draw on their reserves to compensate for a?even greater decline than the average of 11million bpd before the U.S. and Israeli war?on Iran.
India's palm oil imports in May improve; soyoil increases on shrinking premium
Five dealers said that India's imports of palm oil rose modestly from the previous month's low but remained below average. Refiners switched to soyoil as palm's price edge over competing oils shrank, they said. Imports of palm oil from the world's largest importer could be lower than usual, which would increase stocks in major producers Indonesia and Malaysia. This could also weigh on futures contracts for Malaysian benchmark palm oil. Dealer estimates show that palm oil imports increased to 551,000 tons in May from 513 403 tons in April.
VEGOILS - Palm oil records a second consecutive weekly gain
Malaysian palm oils futures reversed gains and closed lower on Friday, but they still booked their second consecutive weekly gain of 1.09%. The benchmark palm oil contract for August delivery at Bursa Derivatives Exchange fell 2 ringgit or 0.04% to 4,535 Ringgit ($1,144.34). Futures trading will be suspended on June 1, and 2?. Trading will resume Wednesday, June 3. Dalian's palm oil contract grew by 0.37%, while the most active soyoil contract rose by 0.75%. Prices of soyoil on the Chicago Board of Trade rose 0.1%.
Palm oil companies on Dalian's stronger Dalian set to gain for the second consecutive weekly gain
The price of Malaysian palm oil futures increased on Friday as they tracked a stronger rival edible oil at the Dalian Market. They were also on track to achieve their second consecutive weekly gain. By midday, the benchmark palm oil contract on Bursa Derivatives Exchange for August delivery had gained 15 ringgit or 0.33% to 4,552 Ringgit ($1,148.62). Futures are up 1.47% this week. Trading will resume on Wednesday June 3, after the?futures are closed for two days. Dalian's palm oil contract gained 0.24%, while the most active?soyoil contract increased by 0.68%.
India's ethanol push leads to a big increase in land used for fuel production
In just four years, the land used for ethanol production has increased eight-fold. India imports 85% of its crude oil. Using more ethanol made from sugarcane, maize and rice is one way to increase its energy security. The state-run oil companies mix 20% ethanol into each litre of petrol before it reaches the pump. Data presented this month by Delhi-based Arcus Policy Research showed that the area of land used for ethanol feedstocks has increased from 0.7m hectares to 5.7m hectares between 2024-25. This reflects a rapid increase in grain-based production.
Saudi Arabia will burn more oil to generate electricity this summer, as gas production falls
Analysts say that Saudi Arabia will burn more fuel oil imported for power generation in the summer due to a lack of natural gas from oilfields which have been closed?after Iran war curtailed its?oil?exports. Fuel oil consumption at power plants is on the rise just as summer cooling demands are increasing. This is a setback to the Kingdom's efforts to switch to cleaner fuels. After an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the world's largest oil exporter was forced to close more than 3,000,000 barrels of oil per day of production.
China's oil throughput in April is the lowest since August 20, 22. Inventories rise.
China's crude oil throughput in April fell to its lowest level?since August 20, 2022, according to official data released on Monday. The Iran war has curtailed refinery operations in the second largest oil consumer of the world. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that the refinery's throughput dropped 5.8% compared to a year ago, falling to 54.65 millions metric tons or approximately 13.3 million barrels a day. The data shows that the output in the first quarter of the year dropped by 0.5% to 238.95?million metric tonnes, or 14.54 millions bpd.
Palm extends its losses into a second day due to weak demand
Malaysian palm oil futures fell more than 1% in price on Wednesday as the prices were pressured by a subdued demand. By midday, the benchmark?palm-oil contract?for delivery in July on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange had fallen 62 ringgit (1.38%) to 4,419 Ringgit ($1,125.86). The previous session saw a drop of 0.78%. Paramalingam Supramaniam, Director at brokerage Pelindung Bestari, says that the market is concerned about the lack demand from India and China. He said that "Indian buyers have switched to Argentinian soybean oil…
Russell: Hormuz's impact on China's commodity imports is evident in the oil and metals prices.
China's imports of commodities are being influenced by the Iran conflict. April data shows a sharp drop in crude oil, but a rise in trade in metals. Customs figures last week showed a sharp decline in crude oil arrivals, the lowest level in nearly four years. Imports in April were down by?20% compared to the same period in 2025, as seaborne imports?declined dramatically?amid a sharp decline of Middle East imports?amid an effective closure of Strait of Hormuz following the U.S. attack on Iran on February 28, 2019.
Deal between Trump and Xi could boost US energy exports in China
U.S. president Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on May 14-15 for a meeting with President Xi Jinping. U.S. officials'say that a deal could be considered for Beijing to purchase more U.S. Energy. Tariffs on U.S. LNG and oil imports from China have been halted. These imports were worth $8.4billion in 2024 - the year Trump entered his second term. Here's a brief summary of its major components. Analysts say that China's imports from the United States of liquefied gas (LNG), have been influenced by geopolitical developments, and could be a sign of improvement if relations improve.
Russell: Hormuz's impact on China's commodity imports is evident in the oil and metals prices.
China's imports are being influenced by the Iran war. April data shows a sharp drop in crude oil, but a rise in trade of metals. Customs figures last week showed a sharp decline in crude oil arrivals, the largest in nearly four years. Imports in April were down by?20% compared to the same period in 2025, as seaborne imports from the Middle East dropped sharply due to the closure of the Strait?of?Hormuz? since the U.S. & Israel attacked Iran on 28 February. According to Kpler's data, China only received 648,000 bpd through the Strait of Hormuz during April.
China's energy imports fall in April amid the Iran War as fuel exports reach a decade-low
China's oil exports dropped to their lowest level in nearly four years as the Strait of Hormuz was closed in April, cutting off the oil supplies to the world's largest oil importer. According to data released by the customs on Saturday, crude oil imports fell?20% to 38.5 millions metric tons in April compared to one year ago, reaching their lowest level since 2022. China imports about half its crude oil from Middle East. The closure of the strait in the Middle East has reduced the number of oil tankers that can transport oil and refined products around the world.
