During the second half of 2021, automotive fuels imported by private companies in Mexico have lost ground in the market, coinciding with various administrative obstacles arising from the federal government.
In the case of diesel, the product imported by private companies in November amounted to 77,000 barrels per day, equivalent to 27.7% of the national supply of said fuel; a decrease of 6.5 participation points from the peak of April, when the import was 112,000 barrels per day and the market share was 34.3%, according to calculations based on figures from the Energy Information System of the Ministry of Energy ( Sener).
The market share of diesel imported by private companies accumulated six uninterrupted months of falls in November. As for gasoline imported by individuals, this amounted to 143,000 barrels per day, which is equivalent to 21% of the national supply, which in November was more than six points below the record for August –its last peak–, when the imported product reached 190,000 barrels per day and achieved a share of 27.1 percent.
In this case, gasoline brought from abroad by private individuals had three months of falls in market share.
In both cases (diesel and gasoline), the national supply of the product was calculated as the sum of the national production of fuel (carried out by Pemex) and imports (by private companies and Pemex), minus exports (although it is marginal). in both rows). Between January and November 2021, the national supply of diesel was 312,000 barrels per day, of which 37% came from Pemex production, 31% from imports from said company and 31% from imports from individuals. The total is 20.4% below the pre-pandemic level.
In the same period, the national supply of gasoline was 712,000 barrels per day, composed of 32% by Pemex production, 43% by imports from the state company and 23% by private imports. The total is 8% below the 2019 level.
SAT raises in the summer
In June of last year, the Tax Administration Service (SAT) published changes in foreign trade rules to prohibit private permit holders from importing products in places other than customs (land, air or sea), leaving this privilege only to Pemex. and to the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).
Subsequently, in November, the SAT again allowed imports from places other than those authorized (such as private maritime terminals), but established stricter requirements for granting permits.
The collecting body ordered that companies can request an extension to continue with the access of merchandise to the country, but first, they must prove that their clients have permission or authorization from the competent authorities to carry out the distribution, commercialization, transport, sale to the public and any other regulated activity linked to the import or export of goods; in addition to having controls and measuring instruments that facilitate identifying the weight, volume, quantity and quality of the merchandise that will be imported or exported.
In the case of hydrocarbons, oil products, even mixed with other components that do not come from oil or natural gas, ethyl alcohol and fuels, the direct transfer to pipes or tank trucks may not be carried out, only through pipelines or storage.
In turn, the SAT will resolve the authorization of the extension within a maximum period of 12 business days, in addition to having a maximum of 20 business days to request additional information that the interested parties must provide in a maximum of 10 more business days. However, the authority is not required to report if it rejects the authorization, by adding a fictitious refusal clause to these rules.
Given this, the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) denounced that this measure would have a medium-term potential affectation of between 25% and 48% of imports of petroleum products, which in turn would put energy security and fuel supply at risk. . (with information from Karol García)
octavio.amador@eleconomista.mx
