Brazil’s base oil imports declined 32% in September, compared to the same month last year, according to data released yesterday by the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels.
The South American country imported 64,000 metric tons of base oil in September, down from about 94,000 tons. Sequentially, volume was down 10% from 58,000 tons in August.
Year to date through August, Brazil’s base oil imports were down 30% at 548,000 metric tons, compared to 786,000 tons for the same period last year.
Most of Brazil’s base oil imports – primarily Group II – originate from producers in the United States.
The country exported 8,900 tons of base oil in September, a 29% drop from 12,600 tons from the same month last year and sequentially 8% lower than 9,700 tons in August this year.
Through June – the last month for which ANP reported production data – Brazil had produced 240,000 tons of base oil this year, 7% below the 259,000 tons that the country produced in the first half of 2021.