The government sought to curb the rise in oil prices and is negotiating to postpone the increase until next month.

Tensions over rising oil prices have returned. The main companies in the sector submitted new lists with increases of up to 9%, but the major chains rejected them. With government support, they are resisting the increase and aim to postpone any increase until June.

The conflict had already begun in April, when companies like Unilever and Molinos attempted to implement price increases of 9% to 12%. At the time, the supermarkets rejected the new rates, and Economy Minister Luis Caputo celebrated the decision on social media. Now, the situation is repeating itself, and the Ministry of Commerce is seeking to open an urgent dialogue.

Industry sources confirmed that the Secretary of Commerce and Industry, Pablo Lavigne, has contacted the Chamber of the Oil Industry (Ciara) . His goal is to bring the parties together this week to prevent a further spike in consumer prices. Both the government and the retailers believe it is key to contain the increase in May.

Over the weekend, the government intensified its message: it asked supermarkets not to accept new price lists. The official position is clear: for them, the increase cannot be implemented in this context. "There is a desire to limit the impact on people's pockets and negotiate ahead of time," explained one of the companies.

On the other hand, oil companies argue that the increase is necessary. They indicate that there is a significant gap in the sector's margins. The rise in sunflower prices, the main input, and the new exchange rate regime are creating pressure. Some companies had already planned 5% adjustments before the exchange rate changes.

In addition, several companies implemented the oil price increase in regional and wholesale chains. "We're used to controls. If they ask for a month's delay, we can analyze it," explained one oil company. However, they warn that the dollar value of prices must be clearly defined.

Today, a 900-milliliter bottle of sunflower oil costs around $2,500. If a 9% price increase is implemented, it would rise to $2,725. Meanwhile, the 1.5-liter version, which costs between $4,000 and $4,300, would exceed that price. The most affordable brands would also adjust.

In this context, Javier Milei 's government decided to become more involved in the discussion regarding the oil price increase. After inflation reached 3.7% in March, and with April also above 3%, Caputo once again targeted companies that mark up prices above average. Thus, the price of oil became the focus of a new negotiation aimed at avoiding further pressure on consumption.