*China’s crude imports began 2025 on the same weak note that persisted through much of 2024. Average imports of 10.42mn b/d for the first two months of 2024 were down 3.4% year-on-year and some 650,000 b/d below the average 2024 figure of 11.07mn b/d, which in turn was down on 2023 (MEES, 24 January).
*Russia remained China’s top crude supplier for both January and February, extending its run at the top to 22 straight months, though average volumes of 1.92mn b/d for Jan-Feb were down 11% year-on-year. Russia nevertheless maintained its lead over Saudi Arabia whose volumes were down 12% year-on-year at 1.45mn b/d. Iraq, up 3% at 1.27mn b/d, was just ahead of ‘Malaysia’, up 14% at 1.24mn b/d, for number three spot. (CONTINUED - 789 WORDS)
