Khaldon Azhari

TOKYO: Saudi Arabia maintained its position as top crude oil supplier to Japan in March 2021 while Russia more than doubled its share, according to data from Agency for Natural Resources and Energy belonging to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Saudi crude provided the amount of 32.334 million barrels, or 44.5% of the total imports.

Showing a decreasing trend, Japan imported a total of 72.670 million barrels during that month compared to 96.86 million barrels imported in the same month of March one year ago.

The share of Arab oil in March remains crucially high for generating energy in Japan at 90.5% of total imports, or 65.777  million barrels provided by 5 Arab countries including the Natural Zone that borders Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, according the data.

Imports from the United Arab Emirates amounted to 18.430 or 25.4% of the total, a significant decrease from 37.488 million barrels or 38.7% in March 2020.

Imports from Qatar equaled to 7.631 million barrels, or 10.5% of the total, while Kuwait provided 5.61 million barrels or 7.7% of total imports.

Bahrain provided 878 thousand barrels or 1.2% of the total, while imports from the natural zone provided 891,601 barrels or 1.2% of total imports.

Russia, the only European source, provided 3.993 million barrels of crude oil, or 5.5% of the Japanese total, a notable increase from 1.983 million barrels, or 2.7% of the total in February 2021.

Ecuador provided 1.243 million barrels, or 1.7% of the total imports.

In March, Japan imported 1,025 million barrels from the United States, a share of 1.4% of the total imports.

Brunei and Malaysia of South East Asia both provided Japan with nearly a half million barrels (0.7%). Crude imports from Australia in march was 0.2% of the total imports.

The figures cited represent the quantities of oil that arrived to refineries, tanks and warehouses located at ports in Japan during the month of March 2021.