Pemex Cut Diesel Imports 29% in 2026; May Recorded a 98% Surge
Pemex cut diesel imports by 29.47% and gasoline imports by 15.33% between January and May 2026, but May recorded a monthly surge of 98.57%. Data from Sener and context on refinery operations.
Pemex imported 64,000 barrels per day of diesel between January and May 2026, a drop of 29.47% compared to the same period in 2025, according to Sener data published by La Jornada on July 13. External gasoline purchases fell 15.33%, to 298,000 barrels per day, though May recorded a monthly surge of 98.57% in diesel and 36.37% in gasoline.
The cumulative reduction reflects an increase in domestic production. In Q1 2026, the National Refining System (SNR) processed 1.141 million barrels per day of crude, a 22.2% year-on-year increase, according to Pemex figures. The Olmeca refinery in Dos Bocas, Tabasco, contributed an additional 164,000 barrels per day to processing, and the Tula coker unit added 39,000 barrels per day after operating continuously since July 2025. Domestic diesel production grew 69.9% in Q1 and gasoline production grew 29.6%. As a result, Pemex's external fuel purchases fell 23.3% in the quarter, while domestic refined product sales grew 4.2 percent.
May's surge, however, tempers the downward trend. Pemex's diesel imports climbed to 125,000 barrels per day, 98.57% more than in April, and gasoline imports rose to 418,000 barrels per day, a monthly increase of 36.37%, according to Sener. In the total market, including private importers, imported gasoline reached 497,000 barrels per day and diesel 198,000 barrels per day, according to Expansión. The surge coincided with operational incidents at the Olmeca refinery and processing drops at Salamanca, Minatitlán, and Madero. Energy analyst Ramsés Pech told Expansión that regular gasoline depends on imports for more than 50% and premium gasoline exceeds 80 percent.
The trajectory of imports in the second half of the year will depend on the stabilization of the Olmeca refinery and the full ramp-up of the Tula coker unit. Sener's monthly foreign trade report, scheduled for August, will provide the first reading on whether May's surge was an isolated episode.
This article was written with artificial intelligence assistance from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.
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This article was drafted with AI assistance from verified sources and reviewed by a human editor before publication.