[Asia's diesel exports to Africa surged in August, replacing supplies from the Middle East] August 31 (Xinhua), ship tracking data and data provided by trade sources show that Asia's diesel exports to Africa in August are expected to hit a new high in at least four and a half years. Previously, as diesel shipments from the Middle East declined, African buyers began to look for alternative sources of supply. Data from Kpler, Vortexa and a trade source showed that Asia, including India, will export 1.8 million to 2 million tons of diesel to Africa this month, equivalent to 13.4 million to 14.9 million barrels. Meanwhile, Middle East diesel exports to Africa fell to 600,000 to 800,000 tons in August, the lowest level in nearly nine years, due to ongoing shipping risks in the Bab el-Mandeb and Straits of Hormuz, data from LSEG, Kpler and the aforementioned trade sources showed. About 50% of Africa's diesel imports last year came from the Middle East, with 40% coming from Saudi Arabia, according to Kpler.