Brazil in September 2026: the most important developments in economy
In Brazil in September 2026, the economy was shaped by the run-up to the presidential election, whose first round was 17 days after September 17. On that day President Lula announced a 15 percent increase to the Bolsa Família welfare program. The finance minister said the adjustment fits within the budget and referred to the "PEC Kamikaze" spending package from the Bolsonaro government. The government also borrowed billions for benefits and weighed debt relief, and on September 25 Lula was reported to plan a $28 billion debt buyout to aid consumers before the vote. The government reserved $98 billion for subsidized credit in 2027. Lula promised to cut interest rates and said on September 16 that an independent central bank does not solve the country's problems.
Petrobras announced and then cancelled a gasoline price increase on September 10. It raised jet fuel prices by 13.9%, adjusted diesel prices and delayed its sustainable aviation fuel units by a year. Brazil's energy mix grew greener even as oil production climbed, and unexpected rainfall pushed power prices lower.
On trade, the European Union suspended imports of Brazilian meat over a health scandal, four months after the EU-Mercosur agreement was signed, and Brazil weighed reciprocal measures without announcing any. The Swiss parliament approved the Mercosur agreement. On September 15 Lula signed tax breaks to attract data centers. Brazil debated tax reform and critical minerals policy, handed government control over mining deals, and Vale did not move forward with an IPO of its critical-minerals subsidiary. Over 500 business leaders were set to attend a dinner with Lula.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
Click a day in the chart above for that day's brief.