CADE and MP-CE investigate cartel in fuel market

On 28 November, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), along with the Prosecution Services of the State of Ceará (MP-CE), launched a joint operation to investigate alleged cartel on fuel resale market in Fortaleza, in the state of Ceará. The case started after the MP-CE filled a complaint with evidence of coordinated practices between economic agents in the sector. 

In response, the Office of the Superintendent General of CADE (SG) conducted an econometric study, based on data from the Brazilian Agency for Oil, Natural gas, and Fuels (ANP) to identify possible atypical behaviour in the market. As a result, more than 20 warrants were conducted with the support of 15 professionals at CADE, prosecutors, MP-CE civil servants, and police officers. 

After the discovery phase, the SG will issue a technical opinion and forward the case to the Tribunal of CADE for adjudication. If convicted, the companies are subject to fines ranging from 0.1% to 20% of their turnover in the previous year, in the field of activity affected by the conduct. Fines imposed to individuals range from BRL 50 thousand to BRL 2 thousand. 

The action is part of CADE's new institutional framework that prioritises the liquid fuel market, based on Directive no. 379/2025. In addition, the initiative reinforces the agency’s commitment to deepening diagnostics, improving investigative methods, and intensifying actions to combat antitrust violations in the sector.