Gas stations in Mexico are operating on tight margins of 70 cents per liter in diesel sales due to the federal government's price cap.
Alejandro Montufar, CEO of PETROIntelligence, explained that the gross margin hovers between 1.5 and 1.76 pesos per liter, but after deducting VAT of 50 cents, regulatory costs up to 45 cents and logistics expenses of 10 cents, net profits shrink sharply.
Only 43 to 46 percent of stations meet the 27-peso target price. Montufar warned this share will not rise and that last-mile costs in states such as Quintana Roo, Baja California Sur and Oaxaca worsen the pressure.
Pemex now offers lower prices than private importers in places like Campeche and Coahuila, causing supply delays of up to seven days. The firm links a five percent national drop in regular gasoline sales during 2025 to anti-smuggling efforts.
Montufar said federal support to contain fuel inflation will continue this year, yet cautioned that slim margins discourage new private investment.
