Russia was China’s top oil supplier in July for a third straight month, data showed on Saturday, as independent refiners increased purchases at low prices and cut purchases from rivals such as Angola and Brazil, Reuters reported.

Imports of Russian oil, including deliveries via the Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean pipeline and sea deliveries from European and Far Eastern ports of Russia, amounted to 7.15 million tons, which is 7.6% more than a year ago, according to the data of the Main Customs Administration of the Russian Federation. China.

However, Russian supplies in July, equivalent to about 1.68 million barrels per day (b/d), were below May’s record of nearly 2 million barrels per day.

China is the largest buyer of oil in Russia.

Imports from second-ranked Saudi Arabia rebounded last month from June, when they were at a three-year low of 6.56 million tonnes, or 1.54 million bpd, but were still slightly below the level of the same period in 2021.

Imports from Russia this year totaled 48.45 million tonnes, up 4.4% from the previous year and still behind Saudi Arabia, which shipped 49.84 million tonnes, or 1% below the previous year’s level.

China’s crude oil imports fell 9.5% in July from a year earlier, with daily volumes the second lowest in four years, as refiners cut inventories and domestic demand for the fuel recovered more slowly than expected.

Increased purchases from Russia offset rival shipments from Angola and Brazil, which fell 27% and 58% year-on-year respectively.

Last month, customs officials did not report any imports from Venezuela or Iran.

State oil companies have been avoiding purchases from these countries since late 2019 due to fears of violating secondary US sanctions.

Imports from Malaysia, which has been frequently used as a transshipment point for oil originating from Iran and Venezuela in the past two years, rose 183% year-on-year to 3.34 million tonnes, up from 2.65 million tonnes in June. (Source news.ro)