Brazil's ANP fines fuel distributors over $38.6 million (R$200 million) for abusive price hikes

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) has fined fuel distributors a total of more than $38.6 million (R$200 million) for abusive price increases, the agency said, though the companies can still appeal the decisions.

The agency said that in some of the cases it decided, distributors' gross margins rose by more than 1,350%. ANP said this figure helps show the scale of the price changes found during the period.

According to ANP, the fines come from first-instance administrative decisions on infraction notices issued by its inspection teams. The agency said that in each case it decided, it found that abusive price increases had taken place.

The companies can file the appeals allowed under the agency's rules, ANP said.

The cases involve conduct that took place while Provisional Measures No. 1,340/2026 and No. 1,349/2026 were in force, according to the agency.

ANP said it is still deciding cases about events during the periods when those measures were in force. These cases involve distributors and resellers of fuels and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The agency said it is also continuing to inspect and monitor prices together with the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) and consumer protection agencies (Procons) across the country.

Reports of price increases that appear unjustified can be made through ANP's toll-free line, the Fala.br channel or the ANP com VC – Postos app, the agency said.