The mayor of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum, signed an agreement last Thursday with gas station owners to set the price of regular gasoline at 24 pesos for the next six months. "Today we signed a historic agreement with gas station owners to voluntarily set the maximum price at 24 pesos for magna gasoline. We protect the economy of families," the official shared.
To achieve this objective, marketers and distributors of fuels will participate, among which PEMEX stands out, and the gas stations, which will offer a maximum price of 24 pesos per liter to the public. A total of 16 directors and/or representatives of gas station companies voluntarily supported this agreement.
Among the participants are Petromax SA de CV and Servicios Gasolineros de México SA de CV, owners of the Oxxogas and Petro Seven gas stations, which together have more than 800 gas stations in the country. Other gas station groups that supported the agreement include Grupo Hidrosina Plus, Estación Piru, Petroplazas, Grupo Ferche, and Servicio Fácil del Sureste.
Currently, only 7 percent of service stations in Mexico have voluntarily committed to the agreement to set the maximum price. If the more than 8 thousand gas stations under PEMEX franchise joined, this percentage would increase significantly, as they represent more than 60 percent of the market.
In this first phase of the agreement, PEMEX will focus on reviewing its fuel marketing policies for the permit holders, who must offer gasoline for less than 24 pesos. Marketers and distributors must provide competitive prices to gas stations since, due to their wholesale sales, they can offer benefits or discounts.
The National Organization of Fuel Retailers (ONEXPO) supported the dialogue with the authorities but emphasized the need to analyze logistical, transportation, and security costs that affect the price for gas station owners. Additionally, they requested continued implementation of strategies against fuel theft, as its proliferation affects the market.
