Fuel imports up by 47% in July

SANTIAGO.- Fuel imports reportedly increased by 47% in July of this year according to the Customs Department International Trade Report for the month.

The importation of crude oil stood out within the figure, registering growth of 60% during the same time period. Diesel came in second as the most prominent fuel import (36%) during July, accounting for $567 million U.S. dollars in imports, representing a 28% increase compared to the same period in 2007.

Crude oil and diesel accounted for 35 of the 47 percentage points of growth registered in fuel imports for the period, cementing them as the major import products of the industry.

Meanwhile, imports of natural gas and liquid butane fell by 77% and 8% respectively, totalling a combined total of $27 million U.S. dollars less than the amount registered for imports during July of 2007.