Japan’s production of finished lubricants decreased 3%, while domestic lubricant sales climbed 12% in October, according to data released yesterday by a Japanese government agency.
The country’s finished lubricants production declined to 186,360 (168,000 metric tons) in October, compared to 166,946 kL in the same month last year, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported. That was the second lowest production volume for a month this year, ahead of 169,291 kL in February.
Domestic sales of finished lubricants rose to 154,703 kL, compared to 138,647 kL. That was the second highest domestic sales volume, trailing only the 176,282 kL mark in March.
The country exported only 26,025 Kl of lubricants in October or a 41% drop from 44,347 kL. It was the second lowest exports volume for a month this year, ahead of only June, when it totaled 45,320 kL.
Lubricant imports into Japan plummeted 48% to 12,450 kL, compared to 23,715 kL. That was the fourth highest monthly imports total this month, with the high mark of 18,103 Kl reached in May.
The ministry has tracked grease data in Japan since April 2022. Grease production in the country rose 6% to 4,972 metric tons. Domestic sales of grease increased 7% to 4,264 tons.
The volume of grease imported into Japan declined 26% to 126 tons in October. Grease exports bumped up 26% to 63 tons in the month.