Brazil’s base oil production rose 7%, while its base oil import volume fell 24% and its base oil exports plummeted 38% in May, according to data released June 30 by a Brazil government agency.
The country’s base oil production increased to 49,000 metric tons in May, compared to 46,000 tons in the same month last year, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels reported. It was the country’s highest production in a month since 50,000 tons in December last year.
Year-to-date through May, Brazil’s base oil data is down 1% to 213,000 tons.
The country’s base oil import volume slipped down to 52,000 tons in May, compared to 68,000 tons a year earlier. May’s import volume was the second-lowest this year, just ahead of 51,000 tons in February. It was also lower than any month in the last seven months of last year, going back to 50,000 tons last April.
Most of Brazil’s base oil imports – primarily Group II – originate from producers in the United States.
Brazil’s base oil exports fell to 7,000 tons in May, compared to 11,000 tons. It was the second-lowest export volume this year, ahead of 6,000 tons in February.