Russia's fuel oil export boom facing a setback. (Exports and trade).

Russian fuel oil exports to the Asia-Pacific region are booming, with as much as half of the supply emerging from the FSU heading east in recent months. But demand for Russian fuel oil, both in Asia-Pacific and in Europe, is under threat.

FSU fuel oil exports of 37mn t so far this year are running around 22pc higher than last year. But this growth is occurring just as European and Asian demand for fuel oil--particularly the heavy, high-sulphur cracked product that accounts for much of Russian output--is falling.

There are growing doubts about Asian consumers' willingness to pay a higher price for FSU fuel oil. High international prices have already been …