India's July Fuel Demand Rises 2.9% on Strong Diesel and Gasoline Sales

India's fuel consumption rose by 2.9% in July compared to the same month last year, signaling resilient economic activity led by the transport and industrial sectors. Total demand reached 19.92 million metric tons, according to data released by the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) of the country's oil ministry.

Transport Fuels Drive Growth

Demand for key transportation fuels saw robust year-over-year growth, which is often viewed by analysts as a proxy for the health of the broader economy. Diesel consumption, a critical indicator for industrial and agricultural activity, was a standout performer.

• Total Consumption: 19.92 million metric tons, up 2.9%.
• Diesel Sales: Climbed 10.0% to 8.09 million metric tons.
• Gasoline Sales: Increased 9.2% to 3.82 million metric tons.

Mixed Performance in Other Sectors

The overall increase masks a divergent performance across other petroleum products. While fuels related to transportation and infrastructure showed strength, consumption of cooking gas and petrochemical feedstocks declined significantly.

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Sales of cooking gas (LPG) fell sharply by 16.4% to 2.35 million metric tons. In the industrial sector, naphtha sales, a key input for the chemical industry, dropped 13.8% to 0.83 million metric tons.

Infrastructure and Industrial Indicators

In a positive sign for infrastructure spending, sales of bitumen, which is used for road construction, rose by 8.5% in July. Furthermore, consumption of fuel oil, used in industrial furnaces and for power generation, surged by 29.7% during the month.

Investors closely monitor India's fuel consumption data for real-time insights into its economic trajectory. The strong performance in diesel and bitumen suggests continued momentum in the nation's industrial and construction sectors.