Pakistan Oil Sales Rise 6% in FY26 First Quarter

Pakistan’s petroleum product sales experienced a 6% increase in the first quarter (July-September) of the current financial year, with a pronounced surge in High-Speed Diesel (HSD) sales and sustained growth in petrol sales, per industry data.

Total oil sales for the period hit 3.89 million tonnes, up from 3.68 million tonnes the previous year. The growth was propelled by a 20% year-on-year (YoY) rise in HSD sales to approximately 592,000 tonnes, alongside an 8% YoY increase in Motor Spirit (MS) sales to around 683,000 tonnes.

In September alone, petroleum product sales climbed 8% YoY and 5% month-on-month (MoM) to 1.37 million tonnes, largely driven by a 20% YoY and 13% MoM jump in HSD sales to 592,000 tonnes.

Motor Spirit (MS) sales rose 8% YoY in September, despite flooding challenges in Punjab, though they remained stable on a MoM basis.

IMS Research noted that smaller Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) outperformed the industry, with CYNERGY (BYCO), GO, and others achieving 12%, 6%, and 6% MoM growth in petrol sales, respectively.

HSD, with a 13% MoM increase, saw robust expansion among smaller OMCs like WAFI and GO, posting 26% and 20% MoM growth, respectively, supported by government anti-smuggling efforts and heightened agricultural demand during the Kharif harvesting season.

Conversely, Furnace Oil (FO) sales plummeted 81% YoY and 29% MoM to just 13,000 tonnes in September 2025, attributed to the shift from Residual Fuel Oil (RFO)-based power generation and a petroleum levy making it less viable.

Pakistan State Oil (PSO), the largest oil marketer, reported flat sales in the first quarter, with an 4% rise in August. Its market share in the white oil segment dipped to 40%, due to an 86% decline in FO sales.

Attock Petroleum Limited (APL) saw a marginal 1% dip in quarterly sales, but August volumes increased 3%. APL’s FO sales fell 73%, while HSD and petrol sales grew 12% and 3%, respectively.

Smaller OMCs like WAFI and GO achieved substantial gains, with WAFI’s sales surging 31% in the first quarter and 9% in August, and GO’s rising 6% quarterly and 3% in August.

Despite flooding in Punjab and Sindh, overall demand held firm, bolstered by resilient automobile sales, improving industrial activity, and government action against smuggled fuel.

The brokerage report forecasts continued sector growth amid rising seasonal demand for the Rabi sowing season.