Sales of the workhorse fuel, used to power trucks and farm machinery, were flat at 7.64 million tonnes in October from a year earlier. — Reuters
NEW DELHI: The diesel market in India is losing momentum as the pace of demand growth slows, casting a pall over the world’s third-largest oil importer even as the economy continues to expand.
Sales of the workhorse fuel, used to power trucks and farm machinery, were flat at 7.64 million tonnes in October from a year earlier, according to preliminary Oil Ministry data.
In the first 10 months of 2024, volumes expanded by just 1.8%, the slowest pace since 2020, when pandemic lockdowns hit demand.
Diesel accounts for about four barrels in every 10 of oil used in India, and the softness comes just as signs of weak buying have been seen in China and Europe.
That’s potentially a headwind for crude prices, with investors also grappling with market cross-currents thrown up by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies’ supply policy, the US presidential election and prospects for a global oil glut in 2025.
“The consumption of goods in smaller towns and cities of India has not picked up at the pace that was expected,” said R. Ramachandran, former director of refineries at Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd.
“This has in all likelihood impacted the movement of trucks that transport goods, hurting diesel demand.
“Also, rains this year got extended, further adding to pressure on diesel sales for the farm sector.”
The listless demand for diesel last month contrasts with patterns seen in other key petroleum products. Petrol sales jumped 8.4% in October year-on-year to 3.4 million tonnes, while jet fuel volumes swelled by 8.6% to 751,000 tonnes.
While India’s economic growth has slowed, it remains one of the stronger performers in emerging markets, a trend that typically aids diesel consumption.
Gross domestic product rose 6.7% in the three months to June, the slowest pace in five quarters. Among other signals, industrial production contracted for the first time in almost two years in August.
In China, the largest oil importer, diesel demand has been contracting because of the spread of trucks powered by liquefied natural gas, and the drawn-out property crisis. — Bloomberg
