OREANDA-NEWS. June 22, 2011. China, the world’s second-largest oil user, reduced net diesel exports to the lowest in three months in May after power shortages boosted demand for the fuel.

 Exports exceeded imports by 50,000 metric tons last month from 90,000 tons in April, according to data from General Administration of Customs. Imports of the fuel were unchanged at 130,000 tons from a month earlier and exports fell to 180,000 tons, the lowest since January.

 China suspended diesel exports last month, excluding shipments to Macau and Hong Kong, to bolster domestic supplies after manufacturers turned to diesel-fueled generators following a rationing of electricity by local governments. China may need an extra 1 million tons of the fuel a month in the third quarter because of the power shortage, Gong Manying, a market research director at PetroChina Co., said June 16.

 China bought diesel at USD 982 a ton last month, up from USD 974 a ton in April, according to Bloomberg calculations based on today’s data.

 Net exports of gasoline fell to 259,963 tons, the least since February last year, ahead of the summer consumption peak. Net exports of kerosene rose to 250,000 tons from 80,000 tons.