Aug 12, 2024
OPEC cuts oil demand growth forecast, highlighting dilemma over Oct hike
LONDON (Reuters) -OPEC on Monday cut its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2024 citing softer expectations for China, a reduction that highlights the dilemma faced by the wider OPEC+ group in raising production from October. This is the first cut in OPEC's 2024 forecast since it was made in July 2023, and comes after mounting signs that demand in China has lagged expectations due to slumping diesel consumption and as a crisis in the property sector hampers the economy. In a monthly report on Monday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said world oil demand will rise by 2.11 million barrels per day in 2024, down from growth of 2.25 million bpd expected last month.