Compared to the same period of 2021, fuel consumption increased. Diesel sales grew the equivalent of 2,22% in Brazil

From January to March of this year, a volume corresponding to 14,8 million m³ of diesel oil was sold to consumers in Brazil, which represents the highest number in a first quarter since the beginning of the historical series in 2000 The value also refers to an increase of 2,22% compared to the same period last year, according to information collected by National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).
In addition, the data also reveal that, in March, there was a reduction of 2,19% in diesel consumption in Brazil. However, the growth in the quarter is due to the month of February, in which demand was 10,19% higher compared to January.
According to the Brazilian Association of Fuel Importers (Abicom), the increase in diesel consumption is associated with the agricultural harvest period, which requires trucks for freight transport.
According to the economics professor at the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV), Alberto Ajzental, it is necessary to wait in order to know whether the growth in consumption represents a recovery or a slowdown in the economy. For him, the indicator for the month of April will expose whether Brazil followed the resumption of the production sectors or if, once again, it entered into a retraction. The professor also explained that the second alternative would represent a series of social and economic impacts in the country.

Diesel oil is mainly used for transportation purposes in the country.

In Brazil, diesel consumption is, in general, limited to transport, with the oil used by buses and trucks. Thus, the increase in its demand also covers a second aspect, given that, as 50% of transport costs are related to fuel, the transfer of these expenses affects Brazilians in all their consumption activities.
Under this bias, economist Alberto Ajzental stated that diesel is everywhere, whether in the mattress that a family buys, in the head of lettuce used for food, or even in the bus that makes it possible to travel to work. Therefore, according to Ajzental, if the producer consumed more, the transfer reaches the consumer in the form of an increase in the price of the product.
Thanks to last readjustment imposed by Petrobras, of 8,8% as of last Tuesday (the 10th), a liter of fuel is currently sold for an average price of R$ 6,85, according to the ANP. However, in places like Acre, the price can already reach R$ 8,30.

Fuel price rises above inflation

Since January, the increase in the price of fuel has reached 28,5%, which is equivalent to seven times more than the accumulated inflation of the period, of 4,29%, according to calculations by Alberto Ajzental. The professor points out that the growth in costs drives the readjustment of freight, which, as an immediate result, can reach 4,5%.
Finally, economist Alexandre Schwartsman points out that the increase in fuel prices should not stop this year. According to him, the value of a gallon of gasoline abroad is higher than what Brazil has been selling, with a lag of 20%. For the economist, if prices are not reduced, Petrobras will have, at some point, to carry out a new readjustment, which could lead to an inflation of 8,5% in the country at the end of the year.