Finished lubricant production in Japan fell 22%, and domestic lubricant sales declined 13% in March, according to data released Tuesday by a government agency.
Japan produced 180,749 kiloliters (163,000 metric tons) of lubes in March, compared to 231,840 kL in the same month last year, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported. For the first quarter, lubricant production was down 14% at 511,133 kL.
Domestic lubricant sales declined to 152,599 kL in the month, down from 176,282 kL. First-quarter domestic lubricant sales experienced a 4% uptick to 438,628 Kl.
Lubricant exports fell to 38,161 in March, compared to 67,730 kL. Imported lubricant volumes surged up 147% to 22,825 kL, compared to 9,228 kL.
The country’s grease production was down 4% at 4,690 kL. Domestic grease sales declined 12% to 4,058 kL.
Japan imported 145 kL of grease in March, a 12% increase, while grease exports dropped 49% to 43 kL.