BEIJING, April 13 Reuters China39;s crude oil imports in March surged 22.5 from a year earlier to the highest since June 2020, data showed on Thursday, as refiners stepped up runs to capture fuel export demand and in anticipation of a domestic economic recovery.

Crude imports in March totalled 52.3 million tonnes, or 12.3 million barrels per day bpd, according to data from the General Administration of Customs. This compares with 10.1 million bpd of crude imported in March last year.

The imports were in line with expectations of higher refinery runs and product inventory draws on improved demand following the lifting of COVID restrictions late last year.

Analysts pointed to a sharp increase in refined fuel product exports as a key reason behind the jump in crude imports. Refined product exports jumped 35.1 to 5.5 million tonnes for March, versus 4.1 million tonnes in the same month of 2022.

Refined fuel exports will increase, as currently the margins on exported gasoline are quite positive, said Xu Peng, a refined products analyst at Chinabased commodities consultancy JLC.

The growth of diesel demand has been less than expected, while domestic gasoline consumption was relatively flat, Xu added.

Kerosene consumption had also been widely anticipated to increase through March, as the country39;s aviation sector rebounds following the lifting of travel curbs.

Analysts also cited lower costs of Russian crude as a factor driving China39;s imports.

Lower prices and…