Angola has been the top exporter of crude oil to China in the first quarter, staying ahead of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman and Russia. China which is the No. 2 consumer of energy increased its purchased to overcome its domestic shortage. Angola supplied 8.48 million metric tons of crude to China in three months that ended at March 31. There was an increase of 55 percent, almost 688,000 barrels a day more from a year before, according to Beijing-based Customs General Administration. Saudi Arabia delivered 38 percent more, leading to 8.18 million tons of shipment. China's oil imports rose by 25 percent to reach a record peak of 17.3 million tons in March as refineries increased processing to ease gasoline and diesel shortage that intensified as farmers started to plant their crops. African grades, like the ones supplied by Angola, are preferred for their comparatively low sulfur content and suitability for auto fuels. Gong Jinshuang, an oil analyst at China National Petroleum Corp. the country's biggest producer of the fuel, reported that “The trade figures show strong demand from the domestic market” further adding “When long-term supplies from countries like Saudi Arabia can't meet domestic demand, we have to boost spot purchases.” In 2007, Saudi Arabia has been the largest crude supplier to China when its delivery increased by 10 percent to 26.3 million tons. However, Angola shipped 25 million tons to become the second biggest supplier of crude to China. Iran, Oman and Russia were the five biggest exporters, delivering 5.8 million, 3.3 million and 3.1 million t tons to China, respectively. Angola has been the China's largest crude oil supplier in March, when China's imports from the African country rose by 47 percent to 3.65 million tons. __
