Diesel shortage affects 142 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, leading to restrictions on public services.

At least 142 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul are already reporting a shortage of diesel fuel.according to a survey from the Federation of Associations of Municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul (Famurs)By Thursday (19), 315 municipalities had responded to the consultation. Faced with the scarcity, municipal managers began to prioritize essential activities, especially in the health sector. “Mayors are having to prioritize services in the health sector, such as the transport of patients, while works and activities that depend on machinery are beginning to be suspended,” Famurs informed in a note. The entity also warns of the risk of the scenario worsening in the coming days, with the possibility of impacts on other sensitive areas of public administration. The scarcity occurs amidst the escalation of global energy prices, driven by the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which is now in its fourth week. The conflict has increased the costs of oil and, consequently, diesel, putting pressure on supply in the domestic market.

Government measures attempt to contain impacts.

In response, the federal government adopted measures to mitigate the price increases. Petrobras The government adjusted the price of diesel sold to distributors by R$ 0.38 per liter, raising the average price to R$ 3.65 per liter. On the other hand, the government announced a reduction in the tax rates of… PIS/Cofins about diesel, seeking to avoid immediate cost increases for the end consumer and to contain inflationary impacts.

This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.