The entry of new brands into Brazil’s fuel distribution market, such as Petronas and Texaco—making a comeback after 16 years—along with the accelerated growth of medium-sized distributors, has shifted the balance of power in the sector in 2024.
While BR (Vibra), Shell (Raízen), and Ipiranga (Ultrapar) collectively hold over 50% of the market share, maintaining their positions in the rankings, the battle for the fourth spot has become more intense. Bahia’s Larco has overtaken Minas Gerais-based Ale (Glencore) in fuel volume sales after months of fierce competition, as Rio Grande do Sul-based SIM (part of the Argenta group) has closed in boosted by the acquisition of TotalEnergies’s distribution operations in Brazil.
As of October, and according to data from the National Petroleum Agency (ANP), Vibra Energia, formerly known as BR Distribuidora, leads with a market share of 21.7% in gasoline, diesel, and ethanol sales. Following are Shell/Raízen, with 18.6%, and Ipiranga, which signed a licensing agreement with Chevron to use the Texaco brand as well, with 17.2%.
In fourth place, significantly behind the top three, is Larco, with a 2.5% market share as of October, taking the spot that Ale Combustíveis held in recent years. The Glencore distributor, a giant in international commodities trading, accounted for 2.1% of the market during the same period, threatened by SIM, which licenses the Petronas brand in the country.
Growth strategies vary and target both individual consumers and large corporations, as well as TRR operations—Transporter-Reseller-Retailer, companies authorized by the ANP to purchase fuel in bulk and sell it retail.
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