Pakistan's July Petroleum Sales Hit 4-Year High

Pakistan's petroleum product sales rose 23 percent year-on-year in July 2026 to 1.51 million tons, marking the strongest July performance in four years as lower fuel prices, improved agricultural activity and recovering economic demand boosted fuel consumption.

According to Arif Habib Limited's analysis of Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) data, oil marketing companies (OMCs) sold 1.51 million tons of petroleum products during the month, up from 1.22 million tons a year earlier and 20 percent higher than June 2026. Excluding furnace oil (FO), petroleum sales reached their highest level for any July since 2021.

The report attributed the strong rebound to lower domestic fuel prices, improving farm economics, stronger agricultural activity and a gradual recovery in economic and automobile sector demand. On a month-on-month basis, sales also benefited from declining global oil prices following easing geopolitical tensions.

Motor Spirit (petrol) sales increased 19 percent year-on-year to 0.73 million tons, while High-Speed Diesel (HSD) sales climbed 23 percent to 0.62 million tons. Furnace oil recorded the sharpest growth, surging 406 percent from a year earlier to 0.08 million tons, mainly due to higher consumption by the power sector.

Pakistan State Oil (PSO) outperformed the market, with total sales rising 38 percent year-on-year to 702,000 tons. The company strengthened its position in both major fuel categories, with its petrol market share increasing to 46.8 percent, the highest since March 2024, while its HSD market share reached 46.7 percent, the highest since November 2025.

The report noted that PSO gained market share at the expense of Gas & Oil Pakistan (GO), whose petrol market share fell to 5 percent, its lowest level since June 2024, while its HSD market share declined to 7 percent, the weakest since May 2024.

Among other listed oil marketing companies, Attock Petroleum Limited (APL) posted a 28 percent increase in sales to 127,000 tons, while Wafi Energy (formerly Shell Pakistan) recorded a 24 percent rise to 131,000 tons. HASCOL remained the only major listed player to report a decline, with sales slipping 6 percent year-on-year to 42,000 tons.

The report also estimated that the government collected around Rs. 134 billion in Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) during July, keeping collections broadly on track to meet the FY27 target of Rs. 1.68 trillion.

Get the latest business news, market insights, and economic updates wherever you prefer.