Argentina fuel sales decline slows to 0.2% in May, signaling demand stabilization

The sharpest contraction in gasoline consumption since the downturn began suggests the worst of the demand shock may be over, though regional recovery remains uneven.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-22 09:03 UTC · 1 min read

Argentina’s gasoline consumption contracted by just 0.2% year-on-year in May, marking the smallest decline recorded in 2026 and offering the first signs of stabilization after four consecutive months of falling sales.

Data from the country’s Secretariat of Energy indicates that the pace of the annual drop has decelerated significantly, suggesting that the severe demand shock impacting the Latin American market may be bottoming out.

Only eight of Argentina’s provinces reported any improvement in fuel sales volumes, while the majority continued to experience declines.

Despite the national improvement, the recovery is geographically fragmented.

Only eight of Argentina’s provinces reported any improvement in fuel sales volumes, while the majority continued to experience declines.

This uneven distribution highlights persistent regional disparities in economic activity and consumer spending power across the country.

The stabilization in Argentina’s fuel demand comes as global oil markets navigate mixed signals.