Measure aims to contain rising prices and guarantee supply after conflict in Iran increases the value of a barrel of oil
The (National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency) extended for 2 months, until June 30, this Wednesday (May 6, 2026), the measure that exempts producers and distributors from maintaining minimum stocks of gasoline and diesel oil in Brazil.
The decision was initially taken on March 19 to guarantee domestic supplies and reduce the rise in the prices of oil products, driven by the war in Iran.
Without this requirement, companies can offer more volume to the consumer market, reducing demand pressure and the impulse on prices.
According to the regulatory agency, linked to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the flexibility “aims to bring stocks closer to the consumption point and increase the fluidity of supply to the market”.
The sector was notified of the extension via letter on April 17, but the ANP released the information to the press this Wednesday (May 6).
The temporary dispensation suspends the effects of the . The standard requires the maintenance of weekly stocks of gasoline A (pure fuel that leaves the refineries, before mixing with ethanol) and diesel A in the S10 and S500 versions (pure oil, before the mandatory addition of biodiesel).
PRICE SHOCK
The measure is part of a package of actions by the federal government and the ANP to contain the transfer of international increases to Brazilian posts. The escalation began after the US and Israeli attack on Iran on February 28.
The Iranian government has imposed interruptions to traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a sea passage that connects the Persian and Oman gulfs. Before the war, 20% of world oil production passed through the site.
With less oil circulating in the logistics chain, the price of a Brent barrel (global reference) has registered a strong increase in the last 2 months. A barrel, which was traded at US$70 before the conflict, reached US$120 at the peak of the crisis. This Wednesday (May 6), the price is around US$ 100.
As oil is a commodity with prices linked to the international market, global scarcity also makes the product more expensive in producing countries, such as Brazil. The impact is more sensitive in diesel oil, since the Brazilian market imports 30% of its domestic consumption.
In addition to making storage rules more flexible, the government adopted other containment fronts, such as tax exemptions and granting subsidies to producers and importers.
This text was originally published by Agência Brasil, on May 6, 2026. The content is free for republication, citing the source, and was adapted to the standard of Poder360.
