The import value of oil derivatives consumed in the local market during January and February amounted to US $ 780.6 million equivalent to Q6 billion, which represents a slight country savings especially to national consumers compared to the same period of 2024.
When there is a lower cost of acquisitions, a slight increase in consumption is also reflected, which is partly due to generalized uncertainty in trade and the global economy by the tariff policy of the United States.
The price of the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) barrel that is the reference for Guatemala yesterday closed at US $ 63.08 that would partly be associated with the possible slowdown of the US economy and that it can have a transmission effect to the world economy.
Representatives of the gasoline marketing chain stated that in the following days adjustments could be given down and only in April the decrease is Q1.20 on average in the gallon of gasoline.
Less cost, higher consumption
According to official figures, in the first two -month period of 2025 the payment for imports, which is known as oil bill was US $ 780.6 million, which represents US $ 20.2 million less compared to 2024 when it was US $ 800.8 million. In percentage terms that variation meant a result of -2.5%.
When the three most important products can be broken down that is diesel, regular and superior the accumulated cost on this occasion was US $ 517.3 million or 66% as a whole. But in the same period last year, it was US $ 579 million, the statistics of the General Directorate of Hydrocarbons (DGH) of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) indicate.
“It is a change of habit that is being shown in the first bimester especially in the metropolitan area where the highest consumption of superior is and in the province the regular is still used”
Enrique Meléndez, Executive Director AGEG
Statistics indicate that diesel acquisitions were US $ 236.4 million (-18.6%) regulate US $ 154.1 million (-0.08%) and higher US $ 126.8 million (-6.20%).
For Enrique Meléndez, Executive Director of the Guatemalan Association of Gasoline Expendors (AGEG), the costs of the oil invoice have a slight reduction, as a result of the lower prices in the international market, which is shown in the local and in the statistics of the DGH.
He explained that in terms of consumption there is an increase in diesel and superior due to the sales prices to the public compared to other years and some consumers are migrating from the regular towards the superior.
“It is a change of habit that is being shown in the first bimester especially in the metropolitan area where the highest consumption of superior is and in the province the regular is still used,” said the manager.
The other reason is the increase in vehicle park recorded by the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT).
Regarding diesel consumption, the manager said he remains high, since he is associated with economic and productive activity.
The DGH figures indicate that the total consumption of derivatives was 8.5 million barrels (42 gallons) in the first bimester of which 2.7 million were for diesel; 1.61 million regular and 1.35 million for superior.
Downward trend
Meléndez anticipated that there is a reading that maintains the global market, associated with the mandate of the US tariff policy that can slow down the economies, especially that of the People’s Republic of China and that causes a reduction in demand.
This behavior is what would explain the decrease in the international price of oil and its derivatives, which also began to be reflected.
The AGEG reported that the price reference of the upper gasoline gallon in the self -service modality in the metropolitan area is Q30.29; Regular Q28.79 and diesel Q25.49.
Pump prices with full service dispatch are higher Q1.