China diesel exports reach three-year high in September as global supply tightens

China’s diesel exports rose 262.3% year-on-year in September 2026 to 1.85 million tonnes, reaching their highest monthly level since February 2023, according to Chinese customs data reported by Reuters on October 18.

Total exports of refined petroleum products reached 7.16 million tonnes in September, an increase of 39.4% from a year earlier and up 19% month-on-month. The volume growth followed Beijing's decision to ease domestic fuel export restrictions in mid-July.

Chinese authorities had previously tightened export controls on refined products in mid-March to safeguard domestic supply amid risks stemming from Middle East developments. The relaxation in July allowed Chinese exporters to fill gaps created by refining output and supply disruptions in Russia and the Middle East.

Combined exports of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel reached 4.41 million tonnes in September, up 56% from a year earlier. This total exceeded the monthly average of 3 million tonnes recorded across 2025.

Jet fuel shipments climbed 16.7% year-on-year to 1.94 million tonnes in September. In contrast, gasoline exports fell 4.1% year-on-year to 620,000 tonnes.

Despite the strong September performance, China's cumulative exports of refined petroleum products for the first nine months of 2026 totaled 41.4 million tonnes, down 3.7% year-on-year. Cumulative jet fuel exports declined 11% to 13.7 million tonnes, while cumulative gasoline exports dropped 51.9% to 3.04 million tonnes.

Separate figures from Chinese customs showed that liquefied natural gas imports fell 1.4% year-on-year to 5.61 million tonnes in September. Total LNG imports reached 44.62 million tonnes over the first nine months of 2026.

The surge in Chinese fuel shipments occurred alongside a tight global diesel market. In its October 2026 Oil Market Report, the International Energy Agency reported that global diesel exports fell by 700,000 barrels per day year-on-year in September. Supply losses of 1.3 million barrels per day from Russia and the Middle East were only partially offset by other regions, and the agency warned that tight market conditions could persist into 2027.