The price of regular diesel rose 6.67% in the first half of October compared to the second half of September and reached an average of R$7.20 per liter in Brazil. The increase occurs amid the surge in oil prices on the international market, driven by the worsening of conflicts in the Middle East.
The data comes from the Edenred Ticket Log Price Index (IPTL), which monitors the amounts charged at gas stations across the country. The survey was released this Tuesday (20).
With the increase recorded in the first half of October, the average price of regular diesel has increased by 15.2% since January, when a liter cost R$6.25. Despite the recent increase, the value is still below the peak recorded in April, when the monthly average reached R$7.51.
S-10 diesel, used mainly in newer vehicles, has also become more expensive. The average price rose 5.07%, to R$7.46 per liter.
Among other fuels, ethanol registered an increase of 2.38% and had an average price of R$4.31 per liter. Gasoline remained practically stable, with a slight increase of 0.15%, and was sold at R$6.73 per liter.
The rise in diesel is a concern because the fuel is widely used in the transport of goods, in agriculture and industry. When it becomes more expensive, it can increase production and distribution costs, with an impact on the prices paid by consumers.
Why is diesel more expensive?
One of the main factors behind the increase is Brazil's dependence on imported diesel.
Although it produces oil, the country is unable to manufacture, in its refineries, all the diesel necessary to meet domestic consumption. Therefore, part of the fuel needs to be imported.
According to the National Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP), imports represented 23.14% of diesel A sales in Brazil in August.
This means that fluctuations in international prices and transport costs can directly affect the prices charged at Brazilian gas stations.
The situation has worsened with conflicts in the Middle East, which threaten global oil supplies. This Tuesday (20), the Brent barrel, an international reference, once again surpassed US$ 111 and reached the highest level in five months.
To try to contain rising prices, last week the federal government increased the subsidy on imported diesel from R$2.12 to R$3.52 per liter. The measure is initially valid for 30 days.
The subsidy was created in May this year to reduce part of fuel costs and prevent the entire increase from being passed on to consumers. According to the Ministry of Finance, the maintenance of the subsidy in October is due to the "persistent volatility of international oil prices".
Where did diesel become more expensive?
The South region recorded the biggest increases in diesel in the first half of October. Regular diesel rose 11.70%, to R$6.97 per liter. The S-10 rose 7.50%, with an average price of R$7.17.
Despite the adjustments, the South and Southeast continued to have the lowest regional average prices for regular diesel, at R$6.97 per liter.
In the Central-West, regular diesel rose 6.97%, to R$7.21 per liter. The S-10 rose 7.02%, to R$7.62, the highest regional average for this modality.
The North registered the most expensive fuels in the country, considering regional averages:
Regular diesel: R$7.75 per liter;
Diesel S-10: R$ 7.80 per liter;
Ethanol: R$5.19 per liter;
Gasoline: R$7.25 per liter.
Among the states, Roraima registered the most expensive common diesel, at R$8.19 per liter, while Minas Gerais had the lowest average price, at R$6.91.
Paraná recorded the biggest increase in regular diesel, 12.66%, to R$6.94 per liter. Acre had the biggest drop, 1.60%, although fuel still cost, on average, R$8 per liter.
In the case of S-10 diesel, the highest price was recorded in Acre, at R$8.30 per liter, and the lowest in Rio Grande do Sul, at R$6.95.
Among other fuels, ethanol had the highest average price in Sergipe (R$ 5.54) and the lowest in São Paulo (R$ 4.03). Gasoline varied from R$7.64 in Roraima to R$6.28 in Rio Grande do Sul.
Mato Grosso led the increases in ethanol (3.96%), while Pernambuco recorded the biggest increase in gasoline (2.46%). Rio Grande do Norte had the biggest drops between the two fuels, 5.07% and 3.02%, respectively.
