Raízen, a joint venture involving the Shell brand, faced a major setback in 2025 as it lost over 200 partner fuel stations amidst a significant financial crisis. This marked the first year of contraction for the Shell network since 2020, disrupting a previously consistent expansion that had expanded to over 7,000 Shell-branded stations. The company has not directly linked the loss of fuel stations to a broader financial crisis that prompted it to file for judicial recovery, which was accepted by the Justice system shortly thereafter.

Concerns are rising among the dealers associated with Raízen as reports indicate an unsettling environment within the network. In comparison, Raízen's direct competitor Ipiranga also saw a loss of stations — 55 out of their 5,860 total — which appears minor in comparison, indicating a more significant struggle for Raízen. In contrast, Vibra, formerly known as BR Distribuidora, reported exceptional growth, with 404 new stations added during the year, highlighting the competitive stress in the fuel distribution market.

When approached for commentary, Raízen declined to elaborate on the current matters but did mention that the reductions in their network might align with a natural process of network cleansing, suggesting some relationships with dealers are being terminated due to contractual non-compliance. This situation not only reflects Raízen's operational challenges but also casts a spotlight on the evolving dynamics within the fuel distribution industry across Brazil, where financial pressures are evident and competition intensifies.