AKIPRESS.COM - Kazakhstan’s oil exports to China fell by 22% in January-July from the same period a year ago reflecting a rise in domestic consumption, data showed on Tuesday, Reuters said.

Data from a Kazakh state-owned energy monitor showed the supplies via the Atasu - Alashankou pipeline, the only oil exporting route between the two countries, reached 625,783 tons in January - July.

In July, it fell to 37,470 tons from 89,925 tons in June.

Kazakhstan still plans to increase oil exports to China. It expects to boost oil supplies to its neighbour to 6-7 million tons a year from just 1 million tons, starting from the second half of 2020.

Kazakh oil exports to China fell to 1.3 million tons last year from a peak of 11.8 million tons in 2013. This was due to the declining output of oilfields in northwestern and southern Kazakhstan - many of which are operated by Chinese companies.