Petrol, diesel sales jump as economic activity increases

The demand for automotive fuels including petrol and diesel sales in India went up in September as a result of increased economic activity and the approaching festival season and the end of the monsoon, preliminary industry data suggests. 

In September, petrol sales increased 13.2 percent to 2.65 million tonnes, compared to 2.34 million tonnes consumed in the same month last year, news agency PTI reported.  Sales were 20.7 percent  higher than in Covid19 -affected September 2020 and 23.3 percent higher than in pre-pandemic September 2019.

However, demand was 1.9 percent lower than in the previous month of August 2022. 

Diesel, the most popular fuel in the country, saw a 22.6 percent increase in sales to 5.99 million tonnes in September, compared to the same month last year. The consumption was up 23.7 percent compared to September 2020, and nearly 15 percent higher than before Covid19, the report added.  

Diesel saw a 22.6 percent increase in sales to 5.99 million tonnes in September, compared to the same month last year. The fuel, which saw a nearly 5 percent  drop in sales in August compared to July, saw demand rise 1.3 percent  month on month. 

As per industry analysts, the end of monsoon rains in most parts of the country and the beginning of the agricultural season resulted in an increase in diesel demand. 

Rains typically limit farm sector mobility and demand, as diesel is used in irrigation pumps and trucking. In addition, the approaching festival season boosted economic activity and demand. Due to the monsoon and lower demand, auto fuel sales fell in July and August, the report continued.