India earns nearly 50% more from fuel exports in April-September as costlier oil and weak rupee outweigh lower volumes

New Delhi: India's earnings from petroleum product exports surged nearly 50% on-year in rupee terms to ₹2.59 lakh crore in April-September, as soaring international prices and a sharply weaker rupee boosted returns despite a 16% decline in shipment volume.

Earnings increased nearly 40% in dollar terms, according to petroleum and natural gas ministry data, reflecting a sharp rise in international fuel prices. Average regional benchmark prices for diesel and petrol climbed 83% and 54%, respectively, during the six months to September.

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The gains were amplified by the rupee's depreciation. The currency averaged 95.17 to the dollar in April-September, against 86.44 a year earlier - a slide of about nine rupees against the US currency.

Crude oil prices remained elevated over the past six months amid supply disruptions caused by the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Diesel Biggest Contributor

Diesel prices faced additional pressure from attacks on Russian refineries and tighter supply-demand conditions, pushing prices to record highs in some months.

Diesel drove much of earnings growth. Export earnings from the fuel rose 58% in rupee terms to about ₹1.2 lakh crore despite a 19% decline in volume. In dollar terms, earnings increased 48%, while average regional diesel benchmark prices rose to $151 per barrel.

Petrol export earnings rose 21% in rupee terms to ₹58,000 crore and 13% in dollar terms, despite a 24% fall in volume. Average regional petrol benchmark prices increased to $120 per barrel. Diesel and petrol together accounted for nearly 70% of India's petroleum export earnings in rupee terms.

Decline in export volume reflects tightening domestic surplus as demand expanded while production stagnated, an industry executive said. Domestic consumption remained strong despite geopolitical uncertainty and domestic price increases, leaving refiners with less fuel to sell overseas.

In the six months to September, diesel and petrol consumption grew 5% and 7%, respectively, while production fell 0.3% and 0.8%, respectively.

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India primarily exports diesel, petrol, jet fuel, naphtha and fuel oil. Diesel made up 42% of petroleum product exports by volume, while petrol made up 23%. Reliance Industries accounts for about 70% of India's fuel exports, with Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy, state-run MRPL and other refiners supplying the remainder.

The rupee has remained under pressure over the past six months amid elevated crude oil prices and foreign capital outflows. Higher oil prices increase dollar demand from domestic refiners paying for imported crude, which accounts for nearly 90% of domestic consumption. About a quarter of the dollars spent on importing crude and fuels returns through exports. By volume, India exports a fifth of the crude and fuel it imports.