Diesel shortage lifts India’s exports to 12-month high in October
Diesel shipments from India hit 700,000 barrels per day (b/d) last month, compared to 620,000 b/d during September, according to Kpler data
In October 2026, India's diesel exports reached a 12-month high due to a global shortage of the fuel, according to Kpler data. Indian refiners exported a record 2.90 million tonnes of diesel during the month, with shipments peaking at 700,000 barrels per day (b/d), up from 620,000 b/d in September. The surge in exports can be attributed to three factors: record-high refinery operations, limited maintenance, and global diesel shortages.
Refineries in India were running above 100% capacity due to minimal planned maintenance and high utilisation. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that global diesel availability had decreased by 1.5 mb/d in Q2 2026 and 1.7 mb/d in Q3 2026 compared to the previous year, primarily due to disruptions in Middle East exports and lower supply from Russia and some Asian countries.
Kpler's Lead Research Analyst for Refining & Modeling, Sumit Ritolia, noted that the company's large, complex export-focused refineries were tilting their yields toward diesel, making it easy to supply key markets such as Asia, Africa, Europe, and even the US.
High demand for diesel, driven by seasonal factors such as the festive season, freight activity, and agricultural needs, combined with stable retail prices, is expected to keep domestic consumption firm. This absorption of additional output may cap export growth, but the report anticipates strong export volumes for October 2026, with refiners expected to maintain high utilisation and maximise diesel output.
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