As of this Friday the 5th, the average price of diesel sold by Petrobras will be reduced by R$ 0.20 per liter, falling from R$ 5.61 to R$ 5.41, a drop of 3.56%.
It is the first reduction in diesel since Caio Paes de Andrade took over the command of the company.
Former Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Paulo Guedes, three presidents of Petrobras fell under Bolsonaro on account of fuel prices.
The Planalto Palace and government officials Jair Bolsonaro, especially the Civil House, had been pressuring Petrobras to change the price of diesel, according to executive sources, after two reductions in gasoline.
With a discount on diesel, the influence of fuel exemptions on reducing inflation is stronger, which harms the president's popularity in the search for reelection.
In recent weeks, the price of oil in the international market has been retreating.
Amid fears of recession in the US and slowdown in the global economy, the price of a barrel of the Brent type has accumulated a 21% drop in two months.
Yesterday, the price of a barrel of Brent type ended the day at US$ 94.12.
According to Petrobras, the change follows the evolution of reference prices, that is, international quotations, which have stabilized at a “lower level”.
For members of the government, the announcement should consolidate a more favorable climate in the economy for Bolsonaro, who seeks re-election.
The offensive against fuel prices also passed through ICMS, which is a state tax.
In his weekly live yesterday, President Jair Bolsonaro said he expects further price reductions.
Behind the scenes, the government criticized Petrobras for not reducing prices, even with the drop in oil.
Bolsonaro's assistants claimed that the state-owned company was holding back the price of diesel to "make cash".
In recent weeks, leaders of truck drivers close to the Planalto have been insisting on reducing diesel, even after the category has benefited from a monthly voucher of R$ 1 thousand reais until December, within the Electoral PEC.
The reduction in diesel generated mixed reactions from the company's top management.
One part considered the fall to be correct and technical due to the price of oil, but another group says that the retreat did not obey the parameters of volatility and price policy.
One of the sources called the decision on falling prices "political interference".
Last week, during the release of the balance sheet, the director of Commercialization and Logistics at Petrobras, Cláudio Mastella, said that the company still viewed the diesel supply scenario with “caution”.
Sergio Araujo, president of Abicom, an association that brings together importers, considered the reduction to be correct.
For him, despite the volatility, the risk of a global recession has been reducing the prices of oil and derivatives around the world.
Abicom calculates that diesel was 10% more expensive here than on the international market.
Sources: economia.ig.com.br
