South Africa’s base oils imports fell to an eight-month low in September mostly because of a pause in shipments from the Netherlands.Base oils imports of 19,800 kilolitres (17,570t) in September fell from 37,000kl the previous month and by 28pc from year-earlier levels, government data showed.The drop in shipments for a second month cut total imports to 85,200kl in the third quarter of the year. The volume was down from more than 110,000kl during the previous three months and from 96,000kl during the same period last year.The second-quarter volume had been the highest since 2017.The surge in shipments partly reflected South Africa’s total reliance on imports to cover its lubricant feedstock requirements.It also coincided with slowing economic and industrial activity in the second half of the year.South Africa’s automobile sales fell in October for a third month in the face of rising living and borrowing costs.There were no base oils imports from the Netherlands in September for the first time since 2019. The country is usually South Africa’s largest supplier.Imports from the US held firm at more than 7,000kl in September.Imports of 23,500kl from the US in the third quarter rose from less than 19,400kl during the previous three months. The rise in supplies contrasted with the fall in total imports during that period..S Africa’s Aug base oils imports rise
South Africa’s base oils imports fell to an eight-month low in September mostly because of a pause in shipments from the Netherlands.Base oils imports of 19,800 kilolitres (17,570t) in September fell from 37,000kl the previous month and by 28pc from year-earlier levels, government data showed.The drop in shipments for a second month cut total imports to 85,200kl in the third quarter of the year. The volume was down from more than 110,000kl during the previous three months and from 96,000kl during the same period last year.The second-quarter volume had been the highest since 2017.The surge in shipments partly reflected South Africa’s total reliance on imports to cover its lubricant feedstock requirements.It also coincided with slowing economic and industrial activity in the second half of the year.South Africa’s automobile sales fell in October for a third month in the face of rising living and borrowing costs.There were no base oils imports from the Netherlands in September for the first time since 2019. The country is usually South Africa’s largest supplier.Imports from the US held firm at more than 7,000kl in September.Imports of 23,500kl from the US in the third quarter rose from less than 19,400kl during the previous three months. The rise in supplies contrasted with the fall in total imports during that period..S Africa’s Aug base oils imports rise
