Survey indicates an increase of almost R$1.50 since February, despite measures to contain the advance
The average price of diesel in Brazil reached R$7.22 on Wednesday (19 March 2026), according to a survey by TruckPag, a company that manages fleets. At the end of February, when the company uses the start of , the average was R$5.74. The increase of R$ 1.48 per liter appears on a basis of more than 143 thousand transactions carried out at 4,664 stations, of which 94% are on highways. In the last 30 days, 81.9% of monitored purchases were made by trucks.
The central data of the survey, released by , is precisely the speed of advancement. The National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels had already pointed out, the previous week, an 11% increase in diesel, but TruckPag’s reading indicates a more acute increase in the price paid directly at the pumps.
As the ANP publishes the numbers weekly, with collection concentrated in the first 3 business days, the official photograph tends to arrive later in moments of strong fluctuations. “In a shock like this, where prices rose almost 1% per day, this window of delay by the ANP is significant”said TruckPag CEO Kassio Seefeld. “In practice, our data shows that the price transacted at the gas station has already risen by almost R$1.50 on the national average since February 28th”he stated.
In the North, Tocantins recorded the biggest increase since February 28, 37.1%. In the Northeast, the biggest increase was in Piauí, with 28%. Goiás led in the Central-West, with 29.2%. In the Southeast, São Paulo was at the top, with an increase of 27%. In the South, Santa Catarina had the biggest increase, of 29.9%.
This movement takes place despite what was announced by the government (PT) on March 12 regarding the impact of the international surge. The measures combine the zeroing of PIS/Cofins on diesel, with an estimated effect of R$0.32 per liter, and a subsidy of another R$0.32 for producers and importers. The budget for the economic team is R$30 billion until the end of 2026. The government also reinforced inspection to prevent unjustifiable storage of fuels and increases without economic justification.
According to Seefeld, the domestic market remains exposed to the external increase because around 30% of the diesel consumed in Brazil is imported and follows international prices. “When the barrel rises by 80% in 20 days, this diesel arrives at the port more expensive and the distributor cannot absorb it. The transfer goes to the station, and from the station it goes to the transporter”he declared. It is this chain that helps to explain why, even with the government’s attempt to hold back part of the transfer, the TruckPag survey already shows diesel at a much higher level than at the end of February.
