Thailand’s base oils exports rebounded in September to their highest in a year, just ahead of plant maintenance work that began in October.Base oils exports of 26,800 kilolitres (23,740t) in September surged from less than 4,000kl in August to a 12-month high, government data showed.The drop in year-on-year supplies for the fifth time in six months cut total shipments to 130,090kl in the first nine months of the year. The volume was down 20pc from 162,310kl during the same period last year and the lowest for that period in more than eight years..Thailand’s exports had slumped in August partly because a sustained fall in regional base oils prices prompted buyers to hold back. They preferred to wait until prices showed signs of bottoming out before seeking more supplies.A persistent drop in demand from China compounded the slowdown. The country is a key outlet for Thailand’s Group I bright stock supplies.A typical slowdown in demand in southeast Asia and India during the monsoon season also cut buying interest.Those various factors began to reverse in September.Regional Group I prices held in a narrower range from late August after falling sharply from the start of the third quarter.Chinese demand showed signs of improving ahead of a seasonal pick-up in consumption from the end of the third quarter..China's September base oils imports rise.Chinese blenders also likely had to replenish depleted stocks after a sustained pause in imports from Thailand.Base oils exports of 7,400kl to China in September were the first such shipments in four months and the highest volume since March.Steadier base oils prices and expectations of firmer demand after the monsoon season boosted buying interest in markets like India.Thailand’s base oils exports of 2,350kl to that country in September were the highest in a year.The rise in exports came ahead of the shutdown of both of Thailand's base oils plants in October for scheduled maintenance work..Thailand’s August base oils exports fall
