Diesel sales decline 3.7% in June, petrol sales up 3.4%

Diesel sales dropped in June as the arrival of monsoon cut demand in the agri sector and reduced vehicular movement, preliminary industry data showed. Demand for diesel, the most consumed fuel in the country – accounting for about two-fifths of the total demand, fell 3.7% to 7.1 million tonnes in June compared to the year-ago period.

Diesel sales soared 6.7% and 9.3% in April and May, respectively, as agriculture demand picked up and cars yanked up air-conditioning to beat summer heat.