How much did diesel sales decrease in September? 5.4 percent increase in petrol demand

Diesel sales in August were 56.7 lakh tonnes. Generally, diesel sales decrease during monsoon, because demand from the agriculture sector is less due to rains. In the agriculture sector, diesel is used extensively as fuel for irrigation, harvesting and transportation.

There has been a significant decline in diesel demand in the month of September. The reason for which is being said to be slow industrial activity. According to the data of public sector petroleum companies, there has been a decline in diesel sales in September. Whereas there has been an increase in the sales of petrol. Sales of diesel, the most consumed fuel in the country, declined to 58.1 lakh tonnes in September, which was 59.9 lakh tonnes in the same period a year ago.

Why is the demand for diesel less?

Diesel demand declined by more than five percent in the first fortnight of September, while diesel demand increased in the second fortnight due to less rain. Diesel sales have been two and a half percent higher on a monthly basis. Diesel sales in August were 56.7 lakh tonnes. Generally, diesel sales decrease during monsoon, because demand from the agriculture sector is less due to rains. In the agriculture sector, diesel is used extensively as fuel for irrigation, harvesting and transportation. Diesel consumption had increased by 6.7 percent and 9.3 percent respectively in April and May because the demand from the agriculture sector was good at that time. Apart from this, due to summer the use of air conditioners in cars had increased.

Increased demand for petrol

According to the data, petrol sales in September increased by 5.4 percent to 28 lakh tonnes as compared to the same period last year. The increase in demand for petrol was almost uniform in August. Petrol demand increased by 5.6 percent on monthly basis in September. Industry sources say that with stable and healthy economic activities and improvement in air travel, oil demand in the country will remain high in the remaining months of the year.

Petrol consumption in September was 19.3 percent higher than the Covid-affected September, 2021 and 30 percent higher than the pre-pandemic period i.e. September, 2019. Diesel consumption was 19 percent more compared to September, 2021 and 11.5 percent more than September, 2019.

Increase in ATF demand also

Amid the continuous increase in the number of passengers at airports, the demand for aviation fuel ATF increased by 7.5 percent to 5,96,500 tonnes in September. It was 55.2 percent more as compared to September, 2021. Whereas in comparison to pre-Covid i.e. September 2019, it was 3.55 percent less. On a monthly basis, demand for jet fuel remained stable in September. The demand for aviation fuel in August 2023 was 5,99,100 tonnes.

Increase in demand for LPG

Sales of cooking gas (LPG) increased by six percent on annual basis in September to reach 26.7 lakh tonnes. LPG consumption was 11.4 percent higher in comparison to September, 2021 and 23.3 percent higher in comparison to the pre-Covid period i.e. September, 2019. LPG demand increased by 7.3 percent on monthly basis. The demand for LPG in August was 24.9 lakh tonnes.