Advertisements
The price of gas has been a prominent topic of discussion in Brazil. Recently, Brazilians witnessed a significant drop in prices. However, the consequence of this decline on consumers' budgets and the market as a whole has generated various considerations. In this article, we will explore this topic in greater depth.
Gas Price Reduction: A comprehensive overview
According to reports, the price began to fall in May 2023, after a period of successive increases. The cost of the cylinder decreased by 21.3%, reaching less than R$100 for distributors. This was the first time since October 2021 that the price of gas sold by Petrobras to distributors fell below R$100.
Advertisements
This decrease in prices brought financial relief to many Brazilians. However, not all consumers felt this impact when purchasing a new cylinder.
Gas Prices and the consumer
Read also: Will Auxílio Gás reach Brazilians this month?
If the drop in the price of gas were fully passed on to consumers, families would be paying R$99.87 for cooking gas. However, the final price of cooking gas may fluctuate due to various factors, such as distribution logistics and the tax structure.
It is worth noting that the final price of cooking gas is not determined solely by the company's sale price, but also by each distributor's supply mix, profit margins, and federal and state taxes.
Price Variations Among Brazilian States
Taxes are one of the predominant factors behind variations in gas prices in each Brazilian state. In addition to federal taxes (PIS/PASEP, Cofins, and Cide), cooking gas is also subject to a state tax, ICMS. Each state has its own rate applied to it, which may increase or decrease the final price.
However, taxation is not the only aspect that causes gas prices to vary from one state to another. Other factors, such as the addition of biofuels and the profit margins of distributors and retailers, also affect the final price for consumers.
Cooking Gas Price Table in Brazilian States in May 2023
| State | Price (May/2023) |
|---|---|
| Acre | R$119,15 |
| Alagoas | R$99,05 |
| Amapá | R$118,39 |
| Amazonas | R$123,96 |
| Bahia | R$111,77 |
| Ceará | R$106,83 |
| Federal District | R$100,99 |
| Espírito Santo | R$100,26 |
| Goiás | R$110,29 |
| Maranhão | R$103,70 |
| Mato Grosso | R$125,07 |
| Mato Grosso do Sul | R$111,49 |
| Minas Gerais | R$108,59 |
| Pará | R$112,78 |
| Paraíba | R$109,65 |
| Paraná | R$104,85 |
| Pernambuco | R$97,57 |
| Piauí | R$108,51 |
| Rio de Janeiro | R$96,61 |
| Rio Grande do Norte | R$109,63 |
| Rio Grande do Sul | R$108,81 |
| Rondônia | R$124,98 |
| Roraima | R$129,85 |
| Santa Catarina | R$119,88 |
| São Paulo | R$105,76 |
| Sergipe | R$104,88 |
| Tocantins | R$122,00 |
Decrease in the Price of Cooking Gas and Other Fuels
In addition to cooking gas, the cut announced by Petrobras also affected diesel and gasoline prices for distributors. This reduction was R$ 0,40 per liter of gasoline (12,6%) and R$ 0,44 per liter of diesel (12,8%).
Read also: Bolsa Família announces the introduction of debit cards to facilitate payments
How to Save on Cooking Gas
If the price of cooking gas still strains the budget, there are some strategies that can help reduce usage and make the gas cylinder last longer:
- Prevent wind entering through the window from directly reaching the stove burners.
- Clean the burners regularly. This can improve the stove's performance and reduce cooking time.
- Use the pressure cooker more often, as it speeds up cooking.
- Avoid opening the oven while baking food.
- Prepare all the ingredients before starting to cook.
- Use the pan with the correct lid to prevent heat dissipation and delays in cooking.
Furthermore, it is crucial to remember that low-income families and women who are victims of domestic violence with urgent protective measures may benefit from Vale Gás. Every two months, the government transfers R$110 to help purchase cooking gas.
