Detecção de indícios de cartel em Manaus/AM e no município de Boa Vista/RR no período entre 2012 a 2019

Abstract

The practice of collusion and cartel formation is a constant concern of antitrust authorities, which, in the case of Brazil, falls under the competence of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), as it can generate negative impacts on the economy and consumers. Empirical price analysis is an important tool for detecting anticompetitive practices and is widely used by antitrust authorities. In this context, the present study aims to apply empirical analysis techniques to identify possible evidence of collusion in gas stations in the cities of Boa Vista/RR and Manaus/AM, in the period from 2012 to 2019. To do so, data on fuel prices were collected from the ANP website and analyzed based on two filtering methodologies: the ANP Filter and the Ragazzo Filter. Based on the application of the filtering methodologies, it is possible to infer evidence of cartel practices in the fuel markets of both analyzed capitals. Therefore, the research developed in this study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms used by cartels in the retail and wholesale fuel markets, as well as to the adoption of effective measures to ensure competition in this sector.