direct rationing. Since the middle of 1981 at least 12 countries have raised petroleum prices. Assistance in financing petroleum imports has been sought from international organizations, in­ clueing the OPEC Fund for International Development. Government controls on petroleum imports have also increased; the distribu­ tion of petroleum products is increasingly entrusted to corpora­ tions which governments dominate or own fully. 136. Up-to-date information is not available, but it is es­ timated that the consumption of petroleum products reached 68.5 million tonnes in 1980, increasing by only 2 per cent in 1981 to 70 million tonnes. The increase was less than half the rate of 5.6 per cent observed in 1980, and reflects the acute economic difficulties experienced in the African region during the year. But trends differ greatly from country to country depending on the energy situation and the over-all economic position. This is illustrated by the evolution of petrol consumption, which has fallen sharply (by 13.3 per cent) in OPEC countries, because of the general economic slump in those countries, while among non- OPEC oil-producing countries consumption has risen by nearly 14 per cent. For other countries, consumption remained practically stagnant, declining imperceptibly by 0.6 per cent in countries with oil refineries, and rising by a minute amount in the others. Overall petrol consumption fell by 3.9 per cent, from 8.6 million tonnes in 1980 to 8.3 million tonnes in 1981. 137. In Morocco, consumption of petroleum products increased by only 0.6 per cent , with significant reductions in petrel con­ sumption because of two price increases in the year. Imports of cruae oil were lower than in 1979, and the production of refined products fell. In the countries of the West African Monetary Union consunption of petroleum products (eY.cluding aviation 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the consumption and trade of petroleum products, highlighting trends in different countries and regions. The focus is on the economic aspects of petroleum, including price increases, government controls, and import/export dynamics. The text also touches on the impact of economic difficulties on petroleum consumption, particularly in the African region.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, International trade