Hi, everyone. Here we are to talk about Cosan Limited first quarter 2019 results. Let me start by giving you some context on the macro trends of the quarter. Expectations were quite high in terms of the timing for the approval of the pension reform in Brazil and everything it would unlock thereafter. Building political consensus around the content of the reform took longer, affecting confidence and causing economists to reduce their GDP forecast to 1% growth this year and Brazilian real to depreciate. Oil prices appreciated almost 30% during the first quarter, helping ethanol prices during the intercrop season. Sugar prices, however, remained depressed, mainly on another strong crop in India. African swine fever hit Chinese swine livestock, reducing demand for grains and causing a decrease in prices. It's never an easy ride. Let's talk about our businesses, starting with energy.
Raízen Combustíveis sales volumes increased 3%, driven by diesel, ethanol, and jet fuel. Motorcycle sales keep on improving gradually month after month since last August, but still flat yearly when measured in gasoline equivalent. Fuel prices volatility continued to bring challenges and opportunities. Raízen managed to deliver consistent and robust results during the quarter through the optimization of its supply and commercialization strategies. Raízen Argentina results are back to run rate as refining capacity utilization is back to normality after a maintenance stoppage and relative economic stability during the quarter. Demand for fuels, however, reduced 6% yearly. Aviation sales increased significantly following higher demand for flights in Argentina, combined with new contracts signed. On Raízen Energia, as discussed previously, the 2018-2019 crop year was a perfect storm for the Brazilian sugarcane industry.
This quarter concluded the season and was impacted by lower sales prices, sugar and electricity, partially offset by higher sales of owned sugar and ethanol. Raízen prioritized ethanol production in the crop to leverage on the biofuel higher profitability. Lower sugarcane availability prevented expected fixed cost dilution, causing unit cash cost of production to increase 10% this year. Comgás normalized adjusted EBITDA increased again on the back of growing volumes. Higher industrial activity in specific sectors led to higher sales volumes in that segment, while also helping commercial sales to expand following the addition of more than 800 clients over the last 12 months. Residential volumes instead decreased given higher temperatures when compared to the same period last year, partially offset by connection of 100,000 new clients in one year.
Moove EBITDA improved significantly in the quarter, driven by higher sales of finished lubes, as well as the expansion of international operations. Cosan S.A. pro forma adjusted EBITDA expanded 11% in the first quarter of 2019, helped by Comgás and Moove results, as well as the consolidation of Raízen Argentina. Net income increased 6%, and the free cash flow to the equity totaled BRL 1.7 billion. Cosan S.A. issued BRL 1.7 billion in debentures to fund the voluntary tender offer of Comgás preferred shares, and Moove capitalization was concluded, with CVC funds injecting BRL 430 million in the company for a 30% stake. Leverage ended the quarter at two times net debt to pro forma EBITDA. Now logistics. Rumo's transported volumes increased during the first quarter when compared to the same period last year.
Higher capacity availability following investments enabled capturing seasonally higher volumes in January due to anticipation of the soybean crop commercialization and continued ramp-up of fertilizers backhauling at Malha Norte. Rains, however, caused landslides at the Santos downhill, affecting Malha Norte operations in February. Rumo's market share of exported grain volumes increased in Santos and southern ports, reflecting the quality of the service provided. Soybean exports are now expected to be lower due to the ASF in China. Impact for Rumo will likely be reduced by take-or-pay obligations and strong corn crop with possible anticipation of exports already in the second quarter. Rumo's higher EBITDA in the quarter reflects higher volumes transported.
Despite continued reduction in fuel consumption, variable costs increased above volume expansion this quarter due to higher costs related to sugar trucking to accommodate higher soybean volumes and penalties related to non-delivery of transportation service since February due to the landslides. Net profit totaled BRL 27 million, reflecting operational performance, as well as efforts to reduce debt costs, including prepayments. About CZZ. Consolidated pro forma EBITDA increased 12% with contributions from Energy and Logistics. For proper comparison, CZZ adjusted numbers exclude the impact of IFRS 16 for all businesses. Net debt to EBITDA closed the quarter at 2.2 times. Before we finish, a few updates about capital allocation and our high conviction in the intrinsic value of our portfolio.
This quarter, in particular, we tendered BRL 1.6 billion worth of Comgás preferred shares, increasing our stake to over 95% in the company, announced the tender for common shares a couple of weeks ago. In the meantime, Rumo won the Norte-Sul railway concession, adding another 1,600 kilometers to existing network. That's it for today. See you next quarter.