Bulk Diesel Buyers Shift to Retail Pumps, Impacting Oil Marketing Companies
West Asia War: Bulk diesel buyers switch to pumps, add to OMC losses
The Economic TimesImage: The Economic Times
Oil marketing companies in India are experiencing a 30-50% decline in diesel sales to bulk customers as many are opting for retail pumps, where prices are about βΉ50 cheaper per litre. This shift, driven by rising global oil prices due to the Iran conflict, is extending losses for companies already struggling with retail sales.
- 01Bulk diesel sales have dropped by 30-50% as buyers switch to cheaper retail options.
- 02In Delhi, bulk diesel costs βΉ134.5 per litre compared to βΉ87.6 at retail.
- 03The gap between retail and bulk prices is prompting many to seek lower costs at pumps.
- 04Bulk sales account for about 12% of India's diesel consumption.
- 05A similar trend was observed during the Ukraine war in 2022.
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Oil marketing companies (OMCs) in India are facing significant losses as bulk diesel buyers switch to retail pumps, where prices are approximately βΉ50 cheaper per litre. The decline in bulk sales, estimated at 30-50%, is attributed to rising global oil prices following the Iran conflict. For instance, in Delhi, bulk diesel is priced at βΉ134.5 per litre, while retail is at βΉ87.6, creating a substantial price gap. This shift is impacting OMCs as they continue to incur losses on retail sales, having not raised retail prices despite the increased costs of diesel for bulk customers. Bulk sales, which represent about 12% of India's diesel consumption, have historically offered discounts over retail prices, but these discounts have largely disappeared. The trend mirrors a similar shift during the Ukraine war in 2022, when bulk customers opted for retail due to cheaper prices. OMCs are currently more inclined to lose market share rather than offer discounts amidst elevated global diesel prices.
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The shift to retail pumps is causing oil marketing companies to incur losses, which could lead to higher prices in the future if the trend continues.
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