Through a decree, the government also expanded the subsidy for ethanol; the order will grant additional subsidies for diesel oil.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) informs that diesel supply in the Brazilian market in the month of October is guaranteed. For an estimated demand of 3,950 thousand cubic meters, there is a confirmed supply of 4,184 thousand cubic meters of diesel, with approximately 33% of this total originating from imports, whose confirmations were guaranteed by importers, including Petrobras, distributors and associated companies of the Brazilian Association of Fuel Importers (Abicom). In addition to the supply exceeding demand, there is also a national stock of 1,937 thousand cubic meters of diesel in the country, sufficient to meet approximately 15 days of demand for this product, or more than 40 days of import, if necessary.
In March 2026, the MME established a Fuel Supply Monitoring Table, which works continuously to monitor the international geopolitical situation weekly and monitor, with a time horizon of two months, the logistical flows of fuels both in import and in domestic supply to Brazilian states and municipalities.
The Table, coordinated by the MME, is the result of institutional articulation with the ANP, the Energy Research Institute (EPE) and the Senacon, and includes the participation of the private sector, including representatives of importers, national refineries, distributors, biofuel producers and resellers, with the aim of planning and executing actions aimed at guaranteeing national supply.
Additional subsidy for diesel
The Federal Government will grant an additional subsidy to diesel importers, in the amount of R$1.40 per liter of A-grade diesel imported for road use, for a period of 30 days, through a decree to be published this Tuesday (October 13). The new value will be added to the current subsidy of R$2.12 per liter. The estimated cost is R$1.6 billion for 30 days.
The measure aims to ensure the continuity of imports and the supply of diesel throughout the national territory, in the face of the worsening of geopolitical tensions and restrictions on the international supply of fuel. Currently, 33% of the diesel consumed in Brazil is imported, which makes the national market particularly sensitive to international price fluctuations.
In this context, the additional subsidy aims to compensate for part of the difference between import costs and prices on the domestic market, preserving the economic viability of operations and contributing to contain new pressures on consumer prices.
The initiative is based on Provisional Measure 1.391, of September 11, 2026, which authorizes the granting of economic subsidies to diesel producers and importers to ensure the regular supply of fuels in the country amid a period of geopolitical instability. The ANP will be responsible for the qualification of participants, the monitoring of prices and the payment of the subsidy.
Deregulation
The Federal Government announced last Friday (October 9th) the issuance of a decree that extends the tax exemption on gasoline and ethanol for another month and expands the subsidy for ethanol. The measure is justified by the rise in international oil prices, the increase in refining margins, and the increase in the difference between the import parity price (PPI) and the price charged by domestic producers. The decision aims to mitigate the impact of external shocks on domestic prices, protect consumers, and reduce inflationary pressures.
The tax exemption on gasoline is extended for another month, after the expiration of Decree No. 13.116/2026, which was scheduled to end on October 9, 2026, and completely eliminates federal rates on the import and domestic sale of gasoline: PIS/Pasep, Cofins, and Cide-Combustíveis. The reduction, which was R$0.63 per liter, will be R$0.89 per liter of gasoline – a level recorded in February 2026, before the conflict in the Middle East – comprising R$0.79 related to PIS/Pasep and Cofins and R$0.10 to Cide. The measure is valid for 30 days and can be extended.
The tax exemption on hydrated ethanol was also extended for another month, maintaining the zero PIS/Pasep and Cofins rate on its sale, equivalent to R$0.19 per liter. The measure complies with Complementary Law No. 235/2026 and aims to preserve the competitiveness of ethanol in relation to gasoline, aligning with the policy of valuing biofuels.
Due to the expansion of the gasoline tax exemption, there will also be an expansion of the economic subsidy for ethanol, which in turn benefits producers and producer cooperatives of the fuel destined for final consumption. The current value is R$0.251 per liter, as provided in Decree 13.119/2026. The proposed new value is R$0.4287 per liter. The measure is justified by the fact that the complete exemption of gasoline would reduce the competitive tax differential in favor of ethanol.
The estimated impact of the measures for gasoline and ethanol is R$3.6 billion in 2026, offset by extraordinary revenues from oil from the Union, which ensures fiscal neutrality. The measures are temporary and are valid only for 2026.
Operations
Since March 9, 2026, the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon), in coordination with the National Consumer Defense System (SNDC), has been conducting inspections and monitoring of the fuel market, motivated by indications of unjustified increases in the margins of sale of gas stations and distributors. In the first phase, from March 9 to May 5, there were 11,603 inspections: 11,140 at gas stations and 463 at distributors. The second phase, which began on September 22 after an emergency meeting with more than 100 Procons from across the country, involved 676 actions, including 405 inspections of gas stations in 15 states and 271 actions by the Senacon, including notifications and administrative proceedings. In total, the two phases involved 12,279 actions. From October 5 to 7, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) also carried out 129 of its own inspection actions in 13 states.
The inspections are based on Article 39, paragraph X, of the Consumer Protection Code, which prohibits raising prices of products or services without just cause. The analysis compares the purchase and resale prices of fuels to identify the gross sales margin and its evolution. The objective is not to control or standardize prices, but to ensure that adjustments have a compatible economic justification with the costs of the activity. At the gas stations, indications of providing volumes lower than those indicated by the pumps, equipment problems, lack of information to consumers and expired licenses were identified, which will require the appropriate administrative measures, with respect to the right of defense and individualized investigation.
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