Petrobras has announced an increase of 22 cents in the liter of diesel in refineries. The readjustment is valid tomorrow. The oil company justified the increase by claiming that the price was the same since October 2023. Diesel sold to distributors will rise 6.29%, equivalent to 22 cents per liter.
Importing estimates pointed to a lag of more than 15% in prices practiced by Petrobras compared to the international market. Although the state -owned company has abandoned the price parity policy, the lag, according to economists, reduces the competitiveness of importers and is seen as a risk to supply, as Brazil cannot meet internal demand alone.
On the political side, the readjustment comes in a difficult time for the government. President Lula’s approval has fallen in the latest polls, largely influenced by the escalation in food prices – which will be even more pressured with the most expensive fuel.
Also this Saturday, the states will increase the amount they charge from ICMS on fuels, implying another transfer in the bombs. For diesel, the state tax rises six cents, going to $ 1.12 per liter. Gasoline and ethanol will have a readjustment of 10 cents, with an incidence of R $ 1.47 of ICMS.
The increase was defined at the end of last year, after months of negotiations between the Ministry of Finance and the governors, in response to the reduction of ICMS rates on fuel in the Bolsonaro government in 2022. At the time, it was a way to lower prices Pressed by the oil barrel, with the beginning of the war in Ukraine and in the middle of the electoral race.
The measure was criticized by governors, who now seek to recompose their tax base. The changes, however, caused truckers’ reaction. Autonomous workers’ representatives scheduled a meeting next week to discuss the impacts of increases on diesel.
