Vibra faces Podium gasoline shortages in Brazil

Gas stations in Brazil are experiencing shortages of Podium gasoline following an increase in ethanol content in common gasoline. Vibra, a major distributor, reported that it is facing difficulties meeting demand and is in daily contact with suppliers to regularize service, though no specific timeline for normalization has been provided.

Petrobras stated that Podium production is operating normally, noting a 32% increase in sales compared to the previous year. The company attributed the supply issues to an atypical surge in demand following scheduled maintenance in June and July. To mitigate the shortage, Petrobras plans to supplement national production with imported Podium gasoline, expected to arrive in the second half of November.

In Rio de Janeiro, the Retail Fuel Trade Union (Sindcomb) confirmed that delivery cuts are severe, particularly in high-demand areas like Barra da Tijuca and the South Zone. The union noted that some establishments that previously sold approximately 80,000 liters are now receiving as little as 5,000 liters per week.