Gasoline Demand Sinks as Virus Batters Leading Asia Importer

Indonesian consumption, imports drop as pandemic sweeps nation
Regional processing margins weather crisis as China flows drop

Empty central business district in Jakarta, on July 28. Daily traffic levels across major cities in Indonesia have fallen by about a quarter this month from June.Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg

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By Saket Sundria and Eko Listiyorini

August 2, 2021 at 9:00 PM UTC

Updated on

August 3, 2021 at 7:42 AM UTC

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Indonesia’s Covid-19 crisis is hammering gasoline demand in Southeast Asia’s leading economy, echoing a slump in India earlier this year.

Strict curbs on travel amid a surge in virus cases are taking a toll on consumption, with gasoline and diesel usage plummeting during the initial phase of restrictions from July 3-25. Shipments of gasoline into Asia’s biggest importer of the fuel have sunk almost a quarter, according to Vortexa Ltd.