Pakistan’s crude oil imports surged 62% month-on-month in August 2026 as local refineries increased purchases amid uncertainty over future supplies and conditions in international oil markets.
The country imported 1.238 million tonnes of crude oil in August, compared with 763,702 tonnes in July, according to data compiled by the oil industry.
During the first two months of the ongoing fiscal year 2026-27, Pakistan imported a total of 2.001 million tonnes of crude oil. Of this volume, 1.658 million tonnes were brought through Keamari, while 343,344 tonnes arrived through the Single Point Mooring (SPM), according to industry data reported by The News.
Refineries increase crude procurement
Industry sources attributed the sharp rise in imports mainly to concerns over the availability of crude supplies in the coming months and uncertainty in international oil markets.
An industry source said refineries that had previously been ordering around three crude cargoes every month or two had started increasing purchases to as many as two cargoes every month because of uncertainty over future supply arrangements.
Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) has also increased its crude procurement to around two cargoes per month.
A typical crude cargo imported by Pakistan contains around 1.2 million to 1.3 million barrels, while Parco generally receives around six to seven vessels each month. The increased procurement by individual refineries has contributed significantly to the overall rise in crude imports.
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Industry sources said refineries preferred to secure additional supplies in advance rather than risk shortages or disruptions in the coming months.
Refineries build inventories ahead of seasonal demand
The higher import volumes also suggest that refineries are building crude inventories ahead of an expected increase in domestic demand during the harvesting season.
The harvesting season is expected to begin around October 10-12, when demand for petroleum products, particularly high-speed diesel, is likely to rise.
Refineries and oil marketing companies have also been maintaining higher diesel inventories in anticipation of the seasonal increase in demand.
The sharp increase in August imports therefore reflects both concerns over international crude supply and efforts by domestic refiners to ensure sufficient feedstock and petroleum products ahead of a potentially stronger demand period.
