Global diesel markets are currently facing persistent supply constraints, keeping prices near record highs. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that net diesel exports from Gulf countries averaged 390,000 barrels per day in August. This figure represents only about 25% of the export volume seen prior to the US-Israel conflict involving Iran.

While crude oil shipments from the region have largely recovered, the export of refined fuels like diesel has lagged behind. The discrepancy suggests that while raw material extraction is moving toward normalcy, the downstream refining capacity—or the ability to move those refined products to market—remains hampered. The IEA data highlights that despite international efforts to release fuel reserves to stabilize the market, the structural bottleneck in the Gulf continues to exert upward pressure on global prices. The report identifies the ongoing geopolitical instability in the region as a primary obstacle to restoring full export functionality, though specific logistical or technical hurdles within the refineries themselves remain a point of further investigation.