China's refined oil product exports improved in June compared to the previous month of May, but remain lower than the same period last year, amid export restrictions that began in mid-March to protect domestic supplies following the Iran war.

China is one of the largest fuel exporters in Asia, and reducing export quotas would alleviate the severity of supply shortages, as regional refineries have cut production due to the crude oil shortage resulting from the war.

China's total exports of refined products, including gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, to Hong Kong and Macau reached 643,712 metric tons, a slight increase of 4 percent from May.

China's exports of refined oil products to regions other than Hong Kong and Macau reached 804,968 metric tons in June, down 64 percent compared with the same period last year, but up 11 percent from May.

Total gasoline exports to Asian countries, excluding volumes to Hong Kong and Macau, reached 76,753 metric tons. Cambodia received 30,267 metric tons, and Sri Lanka received 30,000 metric tons, the two largest importers. Exports to Myanmar reached 9,512 metric tons.

It remains unclear whether Beijing's export restrictions include biodiesel, which is mainly made from used cooking oil.

Jet fuel exports, excluding Hong Kong and Macau, reached 426,465 metric tons, a 15 percent difference from the previous month of May, and down 64 percent year-on-year. Vietnam was the largest export destination, with exports reaching 110,340 metric tons.