China’s 2021 diesel exports sink to 5-year low, LNG imports hit record high

Getty Image
Short Url
Updated 18 January 2022
Follow

China’s 2021 diesel exports sink to 5-year low, LNG imports hit record high

  • A diesel crunch triggered by power rationing in the third quarter proved short-lived and the domestic market flipped back into a surplus

China’s diesel exports in December sank to their lowest monthly level since March 2015, bringing the 2021 total to the lowest since 2016 at 17.21 million tons, data showed on Tuesday.

December exports of diesel slumped to 330,000 tons, down 78 percent from a year earlier, amid diminishing export quotas and as refiners curbed runs in response to a slowdown in domestic demand, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

Total refined fuel, including diesel, gasoline, aviation fuel and low-sulfur fuel oil, fell 45 percent from a year earlier to 3.23 million tons last month, the lowest monthly level since July 2020.

A diesel crunch triggered by power rationing in the third quarter proved short-lived and the domestic market flipped back into a surplus, analysts said, as reflected in national refinery output, which fell last month by nearly 5 percent from November and 2 percent from a year earlier.

Gasoline exports were 940,000 tons, rising from November’s 810,000 tons but down 35 percent from the same period last year.

Annual exports fell 9 percent to 14.54 million tons, a three-year low. December jet fuel exports were 590,000 tons, down from November’s 940,000 tons.

Rigid border controls and expanding lockdowns in parts of the country to contain a resurgence of COVID-19 and pre-empt the highly contagious omicron variant dampened demand for gasoline and jet fuel.

China’s annual refined fuel exports dropped 2.4 percent over 2020 to 60.31 million tons, in the first decline since at least 2015, as the government tightened export quotas to discourage excessive domestic refinery production.

Tuesday’s data showed imports of liquefied natural gas at 7.63 million tons in December, versus 6.9 million tons in November but up just 1.6 percent versus the year-earlier level as stubbornly high Asian spot prices hurt import appetite.

An all-time monthly record high was set in Jan 2021 at 8.49 million tons Imports for the whole year totalled a record 78.93 million tons, up 18.3 percent from 2020, making the country the world’s largest buyer of the super-chilled fuel.

Below are details of fuel exports in metric tons and imports of LNG in millions of tons, with percentage changes as provided by customs. Export Dec-21 y/y 2021 y/y change percent change percent Gasoline 940,000 -35.2 14,540,000 -9.1 Diesel 330,000 -78.1 17,210,000 -12.9 Jet fuel 590,000 36.5 8,560,000 -14.2 Import LNG 7.63 1.6 78.93 18.3


Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

Updated 05 March 2026
Follow

Saudi Maaden reports 156% profit surge to $2bn on strong commodity prices, record production

RIYADH: Saudi mining and metals company Maaden has reported a 156 percent jump in its net profit attributable to shareholders for 2025, driven by higher commodity prices, record production volumes, and a one-off bargain purchase gain.

The state-backed giant posted a net profit of SR7.35 billion ($1.95 billion) for the full year 2025, an increase from SR2.87 billion in the previous year. The firm’s revenue surged by 19 percent to SR38.58 billion, up from SR32.55 billion in 2024.

This comes as Saudi Arabia steps up efforts to expand its mining sector as a pillar of economic diversification, encouraging international participation and private investment to unlock the Kingdom’s estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources under Vision 2030.    

In a statement on Tadawul, the company said: “Performance was led by record phosphate production, near record aluminum production, an increase in all three of Maaden’s main output commodity prices.”

The performance was also fueled by a 60 percent increase in gross profit, which reached SR14.79 billion. In its annual results announcement, Maaden attributed the top-line growth to “higher commodity market prices for phosphate, aluminum and gold business units,” as well as increased sales volumes in its phosphate and aluminum segments. This was partially offset by slightly lower sales volume in the gold unit.

Maaden’s CEO, Bob Wilt, hailed 2025 as a transformative year for the company, marked by strategic growth and operational excellence. “This was a great year for Maaden’s strategic growth. We delivered strong financial results and sustained operational excellence across the business,” he said in a statement.

“This was driven by growth in production across all businesses, including record-breaking DAP (di-ammonium phosphatevolumes), disciplined cost control across and a clear commitment to our role as a cornerstone of the Saudi economy,” Wilt added.

Profitability was further bolstered by an increased share of net profit from joint ventures and an associate. This included a one-off bargain purchase gain of SR768 million related to Maaden’s investment in Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. The company also benefited from lower finance costs.

The fourth quarter of 2025 was strong, with Maaden swinging to a net profit of SR1.67 billion, compared to a loss of SR106 million in the same period of the prior year. Quarterly revenue rose 7 percent to SR10.64 billion.

The firm achieved record production of di-ammonium phosphate, reaching 6.72 million tonnes for the year, a 9 percent increase. Aluminum production remained near-record levels, while the company added a net 7.8 million ounces to its reportable gold mineral resources through discovery and resource development.

The phosphate division saw sales jump 17 percent to SR20.77 billion, with the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization margin expanding to 47 percent. The aluminum business reported a 9 percent increase in sales to SR10.99 billion, with EBITDA more than doubling in the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Wilt emphasized that the pace of growth will accelerate as the company advances key initiatives, including the Phosphate 3 Phase 1 and Ar Rjum projects, which remain on budget and schedule. Maaden has also secured a gas supply for its future Phosphate 4 project.

“This pace of growth will only accelerate. Not only as we advance projects and increase the scale of our exploration program, but as we continue to grow production and implement technology that will further modernize, streamline and unlock value,” Wilt added.

Earnings per share for the year rose sharply to SR1.91, up from SR0.78 in 2024. Total shareholders’ equity increased by 18.7 percent to SR61.59 billion.