The average price of diesel in the Brazilian market remains above that practiced in the international market, according to two institutions, reflecting weaker than expected demand in the northern hemisphere winter, the stabilization of fuel prices in the Gulf of Mexico and the exchange rate in Brazil .
According to the Brazilian Association of Fuel Importers (Abicom), it would be possible for Petrobras to reduce the liter of diesel by R$ 0.60 to reach parity with the foreign market.
Diesel prices at Petrobras refineries are with a positive lag of 16%, after having reached 18% the day before, while in Bahia, the Mataripe Refinery, controlled by Acelen, also registers a positive difference of 9%.
Gasoline, on the other hand, is closer to international price parity, with a positive lag of 6% in all markets.
Petrobras increased gasoline prices on January 25, while diesel, the most sensitive fuel because it affects truck drivers, has not been adjusted for two months.
Acelen, in Bahia, has been making weekly readjustments in gasoline and diesel since it took over the operation of the Mataripe Refinery, at the end of 2021.
Last Wednesday, Acelen, at Polo Aratu-BA, reduced the price of gasoline A by R$ 0.3395 per liter, informs Abicom.
The Brazilian Infrastructure Center (Cbie) estimates that the positive gap for diesel is around 14% and for gasoline at 8.86% in all import reference poles in Brazil.
“On the reference date (6/2), futures contracts for oil and its derivatives
showed significant losses, fueled by new developments in US economic indicators,” said the Cbie in a note.
According to the institution, the Department of Labor of the government of the United States (USA) disclosed that the number of individuals employed in January grew by 517 thousand, surpassing the expectations of economists.
“The result signals the central bank of the country (USA) that there is a margin for further increases in its interest rate. In reaction to the news, the dollar index experienced a positive rally, which took it to the highest level of the last 3 weeks, negatively pressuring the prices of commodities and other monetary assets”, said the Cbie.
Source: CNN Brasil
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