Fines for abusive fuel price increases exceed R$ 700 million

The National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), responsible for regulating the sector in the country, imposed more than R$ 700 million in fines on fuel distributors because of abusive price increases, the agency said this Friday (25).

The infractions refer to ten administrative proceedings against nine distributors. In the middle of the week, the ANP had already announced that the first five rulings resulted in R$ 200 million in fines.

The regulatory agency explained that the fines are first-instance decisions, based on infraction notices recorded by inspection teams, that is, the companies can still appeal within the ANP itself. In the agency's statement, the names of the companies were not disclosed.

The agency's inspections were carried out during the validity of Provisional Measures (MP) 1,340/2026 and 1,349/2026, published after the war in the Middle East, which caused a surge in fuel prices worldwide.

The two MPs contained measures to address supply problems and curb the escalation of prices in the country. Both are no longer in force.

Inspection continues

This week, the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon), linked to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, launched an operation to investigate possible abusive increases in the profit margins of fuel stations.

The action was launched after the ANP received about 330 complaints of improper price increases. Senacon opened 70 administrative sanctioning proceedings.

How to report

The ANP said it maintains inspection and price-monitoring actions throughout the country. The agency advises that complaints about “apparently unjustified” increases or other abusive practices can be made by calling 0800 970 0267, on the ANP website, or in the ANP com VC – Postos app.