Russian refineries increase diesel output following Trump-Putin fuel deal, Reuters reports

The agreement, announced by Trump on October 9, provides for Russian diesel shipments to the United States and other international markets under a temporary easing of US sanctions on Russian fuel.

According to Reuters, Russia's diesel production fell to approximately 160,000 metric tons per day in the first half of October, down from 175,000 tons per day in September.

After the Russian government issued new export quotas in mid-October, production began rising toward 180,000 tons per day, the sources said.

Russia had restricted diesel exports since August, forcing refiners to reduce production to match domestic demand while maintaining limited deliveries to Central Asian countries under intergovernmental agreements.

Traders told Reuters that Moscow began allowing exemptions to the export ban from October 1 to accommodate shipments under the agreement with Washington.

More diesel available for export

Russian domestic diesel consumption typically falls to around 140,000 tons per day in October as the grain harvest and summer driving season end.

At a production level of 180,000 tons per day, that would leave at least 40,000 tons daily — more than 1 million tons per month — potentially available for export.

However, between 200,000 and 300,000 tons per month may be needed for neighboring countries, the Reuters sources said.

The sources expect Moscow to retain its formal diesel export ban while managing overseas shipments through government-issued quotas, adjusting them according to domestic demand and refinery output.

First shipment heading to New York

Trump said on October 9 that Putin had agreed to supply more than 300,000 tons of Russian diesel immediately, followed by another 500,000 tons in November and a further 1 million tons afterward.

He also said Russia could supply an additional 3 million tons depending on the condition of its refineries.

The US temporarily eased sanctions on Russian fuel to permit the shipments.

On October 23, a Malta-flagged tanker carrying 40,000 tons of Russian diesel bound for New York appeared on maritime tracking systems, according to LSEG data cited by Reuters.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the same day that shipments to the United States would continue regularly after the first tanker departed.

The latest production figures suggest that the agreement is already affecting operations at Russian refineries, which had previously curtailed output because of export restrictions.