Oil imports in March 2026 recorded an increase compared to the same period a year earlier, signaling an expansion in domestic consumption despite high fuel prices in the market.
According to the data, 53,600 tons of oil were imported in March 2026, up from 52,100 tons in March 2025. This represents an increase of about 3% on a year-on-year basis. The development indicates that fuel demand remains strong, driven by economic activity and high usage in sectors such as transport and services.
The rise in imports in March comes at a time when fuel prices have been volatile and relatively high—conditions that, in theory, would be expected to restrain consumption. However, the data suggest the opposite: companies have increased supply to meet demand.
In contrast, when looking at the performance for the first quarter of 2026, a decline in total fuel imports is observed compared to the same period a year earlier. During the first three months of the year, approximately 155,668 tons were imported, reflecting a contraction mainly linked to weaker performance in January and February.
This dynamic indicates a slower start to the year for fuel consumption, which partially recovered in March. Seasonal factors, weather conditions, as well as fluctuations in economic activity may have influenced this uneven monthly trend.
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