Government does not renew subsidy of R$ 1.40 for imported diesel

After one month in effect, the subsidy of R$ 1.40 per liter for imported diesel will not be renewed, the Ministry of Finance reported on Friday night (13). The benefit came to an end after the expiration of Ordinance 3,082 of the Ministry of Finance, of October 13th.

The decision does not change the subsidy of R$ 2.12 per liter allocated to road diesel oil, which remains valid.

The R$1.40 measure had been created to reduce the effects of rising international fuel prices on the Brazilian market. According to the Treasury, the possibility of reevaluating the benefit is not ruled out and will depend on the evolution of oil prices.

Two subsidies

Measures have different values and rules. Therefore, the end of one of them does not mean the end of the entire diesel support program.

R$ 1.40 per liter: specific benefit for imported diesel, ending with the expiration of Ordinance 3,082 of October 13;

R$ 2.12 per liter: subsidy for diesel oil for road use, maintained by Ordinance 3,181, of October 27, also from the Ministry of Finance.

A subsidy is a payment made by the government to producers or importers to reduce the costs of marketing the fuel. The objective is to reduce the pressure of international prices on the domestic market.

Oil rise

The benefit of R$1.40 was announced a month ago, amid the rise in oil prices caused by tensions and conflict in the Middle East. The measure was initially valid for 30 days.

Imported diesel is relevant to Brazilian supply: more than 25% of national consumption depends on foreign purchases, according to the government.

When the international price rises, the import cost also increases. The subsidy seeks to compensate part of this difference and prevent all the pressure from reaching the price of fuel in Brazil.

Benefit maintained

The subsidy of R$2.12 per liter was extended on October 27 for another 30 days.

The benefit is intended for producers and importers of diesel oil for road use. This fuel is pure diesel, before the mandatory mixture with biodiesel.

There are two types of diesel on the Brazilian market. Diesel A is sold by refineries and importers. Diesel B is sold at gas stations, after the addition of biodiesel.

Impact on accounts

Diesel subsidies are at the center of the debate over public accounts. The fiscal adjustment package, whose basic text was approved by the Senate on Thursday (12), proposes the removal of up to R$10.5 billion in diesel subsidies from the calculation of the 2026 fiscal target.

After the vote in the Senate, the complementary bill needs to pass the Chamber. The change, if approved, does not eliminate expenses nor represent savings for public coffers. It only allows this value to be disregarded when verifying compliance with the primary outcome target.