China's crude oil imports in April totaled 21.54 million tons (5.26 million b/d), according to preliminary data released by the customs administration. The volumes are up only 1.8% from April last year, and a 2.7% increase from March 2011. This appears to be a sign that Chinese oil demand growth is falling back into the single digits from levels at the end of 2010 and early 2011, when diesel demand skyrocketed as farmers in northern China turned to water pumps for irrigation amid the worst drought in six decades (IOD Feb.15,p2).
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