China’s diesel exports surged 262.3% year on year (YoY) to 1.85 million tons in September 2026, reaching their highest level since February 2023, according to Chinese customs data Reuters reported on October 18.

China’s total exports of refined petroleum products, including diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and marine fuel, rose 39.4% YoY and 19% month on month to 7.16 million tons in September. The increase extended the strong growth recorded in August after Beijing eased export restrictions in mid-July.

China tightened exports of refined products in mid-March to protect domestic supplies amid risks stemming from developments in the Middle East. The subsequent easing of restrictions helped exports recover as disruptions affected fuel production and supply in the Middle East and Russia.

Despite the September rebound, China’s refined petroleum product exports totaled 41.4 million tons (mmt) in the first nine months of 2026, down 3.7% year on year.

Combined exports of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel reached 4.41 million tons in September, up 56% from a year earlier and exceeding the average monthly volume of 3 million tons recorded in 2025.

Jet fuel exports increased 16.7% YoY to 1.94 mmt in September. However, shipments during the January-September period fell 11% to 13.7 mmt.

Gasoline exports declined 4.1% YoY to 620,000 tons in September. Cumulative shipments fell 51.9% to 3.04 mmt in the first nine months of 2026.

Separately, China’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports fell 1.4% YoY to 5.61 million tons in September. Total LNG imports reached 44.62 million tons during the first nine months of 2026, according to customs data.

The increase in Chinese fuel exports comes amid a global diesel supply crunch driven by disruptions to refining and exports in the Middle East and Russia. In its October 2026 Oil Market Report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said global diesel exports were 700,000 barrels per day lower year-on-year in September.

Supply losses of 1.3 million barrels (mmbbl) per day from Russia and the Middle East were only partly offset by higher supplies from other sources. The agency warned that tight diesel market conditions could persist well into 2027.