India’s Diesel, Gasoline Sales Taper Off Adding to Oil’s Gloom

  • Fuel demand in India typically declines during monsoon rains
  • July 1-15 fuel sales witness first monthly fall in 3 months

A gas station in New Delhi. 

Photographer: Anindito Mukherjee/Bloomberg
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India’s gasoline and diesel sales during the first half of July dropped from last month as seasonal rains curtailed demand in the world’s third-biggest energy consumer, that could help keep a lid on oil prices.

The three biggest retailers sold 1.28 million tons of gasoline during July 1-15, down about 8% from the corresponding period in June, according to refinery officials with knowledge of the matter. Diesel sales fell almost 14% from last month, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing unpublished data.