BEIJING: China’s crude oil imports from top supplier Saudi Arabia rose 8.8 percent in March from a year earlier, driven by strong demand and as shipments delayed due to a port congestion finally arrived.
Imports from the United Arab Emirates also rose again, up 86 percent, as some Iranian barrels were believed to have slipped in. Shipments from Saudi Arabia were 7.84 million tons, equivalent to 1.85 million barrels per day (bpd), data issued by China’s General Administration of Customs showed on Tuesday.
That was higher than 1.7 million bpd a year earlier, but below imports of 1.94 million bpd in February. Saudi Arabia retained its position as China’s biggest crude oil supplier for a seventh consecutive month. Ports at China’s oil refining hub Shandong experienced congestion for a few weeks over January and February, slowing oil arrivals. China’s crude oil imports from Russia rose 6 percent in March to 1.75 million bpd from a year ago, but slipped from 1.91 million bpd in February. Analysts from Refinitiv expect arrivals from Saudi Arabia to further drop in April given a voluntary supply cut of 1 million bpd by the producer and increasing prices of Arab light crude for the Asian market.
Appetite of spot oil would turn to more price competitive African sources, with China’s imports from Angola at 0.74 million bpd in March, versus 0.73 mln bpd a month ago. The customs data also showed that crude oil supplies from Kuwait increased to 0.6 million bpd, up 29 percent from a year earlier. China’s imports from the UAE were at 0.71 million bpd last month, up 86 percent on year. Shipments from Oman rose 60 percent from a year ago to 0.86 million bpd.
Saudi Arabia is China's top oil supplier for seventh straight month
https://arab.news/9ayw8
Saudi Arabia is China's top oil supplier for seventh straight month
- Shipments from UAE and Oman surge
- Some Iranian barrels believed to have slipped in
Saudi business optimism holds firm above 60 on non-oil strength
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Business Confidence Index held at 61.6 points in January, reflecting sustained optimism across the Kingdom’s non-oil sectors, official data showed.
The index slipped 0.6 percent from 62 points in December, the General Authority for Statistics said, but remained well above the neutral 50 threshold, indicating continued expansion in business sentiment.
The sustained momentum in the BCI underscores the progress made under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to diversify the economy by reducing reliance on crude revenues.
“The index continues to reflect prevailing optimism in the business sector, supported by establishments’ confidence in the stability of economic activity and the continued growth across various sectors,” said GASTAT.
According to the report, the BCI for the industrial sector recorded 61.7 points in January, maintaining an optimistic level despite a slight decline of 0.8 percent compared to the previous month.
The slight decline in the industrial sector was driven by weaker confidence around current input costs and expectations for the coming month.
In January, the BCI for the services sector recorded 61.3 points, marginally down 1.2 percent from December, due to a limited decline in confidence related to input costs for the current month and expected inputs for the coming month.
The construction sector’s BCI stood at 61.6 points in January, marking a slight fall of 0.3 percent compared to the previous month.
“The marginal decrease (in the construction sector) is attributed to a limited decline in confidence among construction sector establishments, particularly with regard to input costs for the current month and expected inputs for the coming month,” added GASTAT.
Earlier this month, the Riyad Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index compiled by S&P Global showed Saudi Arabia’s PMI at 56.3 in January, driven by output growth, improving market conditions and stronger demand among non-oil businesses.
A separate January report by Standard Chartered forecasts Saudi Arabia’s economy will expand 4.5 percent in 2026, supported by sustained momentum in both hydrocarbon and non-oil sectors. The bank expects non-oil growth at a similar pace, driven by investment and consumption.
