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Brazil Exports Crude Oil, But Still Imports Up to 25% of Diesel and 10% of Gasoline It Consumes. Refining Bottlenecks Reveal Contradiction That Weighs on the Pocket of Brazilians, According to Data from the OEC
Brazil has reached historic records in crude oil production, establishing itself among the ten largest producers on the planet. In 2024, it surpassed 3.6 million barrels per day, primarily supported by pre-salt production, with reserves that rival major energy powers. Nevertheless, there is a contradiction that intrigues and concerns: the country still needs to import refined fuels, bringing in up to 25% of the diesel and 10% of the gasoline that fuel cars, trucks, and tractors. This paradox exposes infrastructure bottlenecks, a lack of investments in refining, and energy policy challenges that have a direct impact on the population’s pockets.
Oil Exporter, Fuel Importer
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), in 2023 Brazil imported about 10% of the gasoline it consumed, revealing a significant dependence on fuels from abroad.
However, more recent data from the National Agency of Petroleum (ANP) shows that this participation fell in 2025, nearing 4.3% in March and 4.1% in April, specifically for Gasoline A.
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This difference reveals how percentages can vary over time, but reinforces the central contradiction: even being a power in crude oil production and export, Brazil still needs to turn to the foreign market to guarantee part of its internal supply.
Brazil occupies a comfortable position as a crude oil exporter, with a billion-dollar surplus in the trade balance. The China is the largest buyer, taking about half of the oil extracted from the pre-salt. However, much of this production leaves the country without passing through national refineries, returning indirectly as more expensive derivatives.
This cycle creates a dangerous dependency: while exporting oil to generate foreign currency, Brazil imports derivatives that are costly in dollars. It’s like selling the cow standing and buying the fillet ready — the profit is always smaller for those who only provide the raw material.
Bottlenecks in National Refineries?
The main reason for this contradiction lies in the limited refining capacity. Petrobras, which dominates the sector, has not significantly expanded the refining park in recent decades.
Today, Brazil has just over a dozen refineries, many of which are old and have technological limitations for processing pre-salt oil, which is lighter and requires adaptations.
Despite Brazil having achieved records in crude oil production, national refineries still carry bottlenecks that limit fuel self-sufficiency.
The installed capacity of about 2.4 million barrels per day is insufficient given a production that already exceeds 3.6 million, and projects like Abreu e Lima (PE) and Comperj (RJ) have been marked by delays and unfinished works. Moreover, many units were designed to process heavier oils, creating partial incompatibility with the lighter pre-salt oil.
The result is a paradox: even exporting barrels at historical volumes, Brazil remains dependent on imports to meet the demand for diesel and gasoline.
Projects like the Abreu e Lima Refinery (PE) and Comperj (RJ) faced delays, billion-dollar costs, and corruption scandals, leaving the country without the necessary infrastructure to refine all the oil it produces internally. The result is that even exporting millions of barrels, Brazil still depends on imports to meet its internal demand for fuels.
Diesel: The Biggest Bottleneck
Diesel is the most critical fuel in the Brazilian economy. It powers trucks, tractors, buses, and agricultural machines, being vital for the transport of goods and for agribusiness. Therefore, any imbalance in supply has an immediate effect on inflation and the cost of living.
Currently, about one quarter of the diesel consumed in Brazil comes from imports. This dependence exposes the country to external shocks, such as fluctuations in oil prices, logistical crises, or geopolitical conflicts. When the price of oil rises abroad, the bill quickly reaches the Brazilian consumer.
Gasoline: Less Dependency, But Real
In the case of gasoline, external dependency is lower but still significant: around 10% of consumption needs to be imported. This slice seems small, but it is enough to impact prices and distribution margins.
The weight is even greater because urban consumption is sensitive to increases, directly reflecting the cost of individual and collective transportation.
Impact on the Consumer Pocket
This dependency on imports has a direct effect on inflation. Since Brazil needs to pay in dollars for the diesel and gasoline it imports, any exchange rate variation or rise in oil barrel prices reflects in adjustments at the pumps.
For truck drivers, it means higher freight costs. For farmers, it means higher harvest costs. And for the final consumer, the prices of food and basic products rise. In summary: the lack of self-sufficiency in derivatives makes the energy bill heavier for the entire society.
Energy Policies and Future Dilemmas
The Brazilian government has already announced plans to increase refining capacity, either by completing stalled projects or by modernizing existing refineries.
There are also private initiatives to import and refine oil in Brazil. But these movements require billion-dollar investments and time.
Meanwhile, the debate about energy transition is growing. With the advancement of electric and hybrid vehicles, is it worth investing heavily in refineries? Or does the country risk falling behind in relation to new mobility technologies? This dilemma adds a layer of uncertainty to the future of the sector.
The Strategic Dilemma of Brazil
The Brazilian paradox — exporting crude oil and importing diesel and gasoline — reveals a strategic problem: the country generates wealth with its reserves but cannot fully capture the added value. With each barrel of crude oil exported, the opportunity to generate jobs, technology, and income in refining is lost.
Until this bottleneck is resolved, Brazil will remain vulnerable to external shocks and trapped in a cycle that transfers wealth abroad. It serves as a reminder that being an energy power is not enough: it is necessary to transform potential into real sovereignty over the fuels that drive the economy.
Aqui se prova mais uma vez como a família de viralatas, entreguista, traidores da pátria, vendilhões das riquezas nacionais fizeram no governo Bolsonaro, vendendo várias refinarias a preço de ****, de lapidando o patrimônio do Brasil, para entregarem a estrangeiros. Tem que se investigar quem foram o beneficiários desta venda vergonhosa feito por Paulo Guedes da Petrobras.
Vejam o que custou o impedimento da Pres Dilma, o uso político da lava jato contra a Petrobras, contra o interesse nacional.. bando de bocós ****..
Se o Brasil é um dos maiores exportadores de petróleo e importa o equivalente de 35% de combustível para suprir a demanda interna do país ,da a entender que seja uma forma de desvio do capital para algum beneficiário que faz parte do sistema .