A pause in Brazilian diesel import negotiations is likely to extend into April as domestic demand wanes and the market braces for a wave of shipments contracted before coronavirus-related movement restrictions were put in place. Brazil's state governments adopted more restrictive social isolation measures in mid-March, a move that signaled caution for the refined products sector. Many fuel distributors halted imports as they monitor the degree to which the outbreak will sap domestic diesel and gasoline demand. As of 1 April, 23 ships were scheduled to deliver around 1.1bn l of diesel by the end of the month, slightly higher than the 1bn l mark forecasted for March delivery, according to oil analytics firm Vortexa. There are currently no additional Brazil-bound import vessels scheduled for departure in April and May.

Apr 03, 2020 - BNamericas

Latin America’s energy sector is in the middle of a tectonic shift with wide-ranging potential consequences for the region’s economies. This was the key takeaway from an online conference organized by the Inter-American Dialogue. Experts discussed the perfect storm of health crisis and low oil prices, and possible effects on some the most exposed economies. Brazil, Colombia and especially Venezuela, for example, depend on oil revenue but calculated with prices way above current levels of US$20-30/b. The drop is a consequence of a rift between OPEC+’s two biggest producers, Russia and Saudi Arabia, pushing prices below the break-even point of promising basins such as Brazil’s pre-salt and Argentina’s Vaca Muerta, Inter-American Dialogue program director Lisa Viscidi said.

Apr 03, 2020 - Reuters

Brazil's manufacturing sector shrank in March at the fastest pace in more than three years, according to a survey of purchasing managers' activity on Wednesday, as the hit to activity from the coronavirus outbreak began to be felt. The IHS Markit Brazil manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) came in at 48.4, down from 52.3 the month before and signaling the first contraction in activity since last July.A reading above 50.0 marks expansion in the sector, while a reading below signifies contraction.

Apr 03, 2020 - Agencia Brasil

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro announced this week that the aid to workers and businesses as well as states and municipalities to tackle the new coronavirus crisis adds up to roughly 2.6 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. The president was joined by Economy Minister Paulo Guedes, who stated this aid will cost US$ 18.7 billion to public coffers and should benefit 54 million Brazilians. Other measures, the minister went on to mention, are aimed at helping businesses preserve employment.