Business owners in the sector report supply issues for Magna and diesel in at least eleven Mexican states. The voluntary price cap, in place for over a year, faces pressure from rising import costs linked to the Middle East crisis.
According to reports from business owners, Aguascalientes and Zacatecas show confirmed shortages of Magna and Premium. Saltillo faces overdemand while Pemex diverts product to Monclova. Other locations including Chihuahua, Ciudad Juárez, Tula, Querétaro, Zamora, Toluca, Azcapotzalco, Cadereyta and Santa Catarina also report disruptions.
Columnist Atzayaelh Torres noted that Pemex imports nearly 70 percent of the fuel consumed in the country. Between February 27 and April 15, the cost of importing gasoline rose 58.6 percent and diesel 32 percent. Maritime freight from the United States increased from 225 thousand to 415 thousand dollars per shipment.
Reserves are at low levels. Reynosa has zero storage and the Valle de México has less than three days of inventory, although the law requires five. Compliance with the diesel price cap fell to 61 percent.
The president stated on Friday, May 22, that the gasoline pact remains firm and there is no shortage. Torres warned that denying situations observed by drivers erodes the credibility of authorities.
