During the holiday season, products such as meat, olives and panettone can vary drastically in price between supermarkets, even doubling in price in some cases. The data is part of a survey carried out by Procon-SP between December 4th and 10th, which analyzed the values of 121 foods in 12 municipalities in the State of São Paulo.
The study collected prices from 82 supermarkets in order to identify the lowest and highest prices for the same product, from the same brand, in a single city. From data collection, it was possible to calculate the percentage of food variation.
In the capital, for example, the biggest price difference found was 108.90% in the value of a kilo of Chilean olives in bulk. In one place the product was found for R$ 99.98 and, in another, for R$ 47.86, a difference in absolute value of R$ 52.12
Seven categories of typical end-of-year foods were analyzed: olive oil, chocolates, frozen meats, preserves, panettone, chocotones, dried lentils and fruit in syrup.
Price collection in the capital was carried out in the north, south, east, west and central regions. Inland, the research covered businesses in Bauru, Campinas, Jundiaí, Marília, Presidente Prudente, Ribeirão Preto, São José do Rio Preto, São José dos Campos and Sorocaba. On the coast, data was collected in Santos and São Vicente.
The survey, according to Procon-SP, has the main objective of portraying price behavior in retail trade, highlighting the need to research before purchasing. “Through this data, consumers will have parameters for comparing prices, whatever the chosen shopping location,” said the entity in a note.
Frozen Meats
The biggest price variation identified among frozen meats was 140.09% in a stuffed turkey breast, in Sorocaba. The highest price was R$71.98 and the lowest was R$29.98.
In second place was the same product, but in the capital of São Paulo, with a variation of 100.06%, with the highest price being R$67.98 and the lowest, R$33.98.
Next is a seasoned loin, in Campinas, with a variation of 61.07%. The highest value of the piece is R$49.90 and the lowest is R$30.98.
Olive oils
Among the oils, a single type of olive oil, 500ml, had the two biggest price variations in the municipalities of Presidente Prudente and São José do Rio Preto.
The variation was, respectively, 98.08% and 84.88%. The highest and lowest prices identified were R$49.50 and R$24.99, in Presidente Prudente, and R$49.90 and R$26.99, in São José do Rio Preto.
Thirdly, the difference found was 80.57% in a 500ml extra virgin olive oil in Jundiaí. The highest price identified was R$53.99 and the lowest, R$29.90.
Panettone and Chocotone
Among the most traditional Christmas sweet breads, the biggest difference found was 148.04%, in an 80g mini chocotone, in Presidente Prudente. The highest price was R$13.89 and the lowest was R$5.60.
Next, a 500g panettone with chocolate drops and pistachio cream filling takes second and third place in the capital and in the municipality of São José do Rio Preto. The variation was, for each one, 96.99% (highest = R$52.99, lowest = R$26.90) and 89.69% (highest = R$54.99, lowest = R$28.99).
Preserves
The largest variation identified across all products and across all cities was 169.88% in a green olive with pit, in Bauru. The highest price identified was R$69.90 and the lowest was R$25.90.
Next appears the same product, with 133.78%, but in the municipality of Ribeirão Preto (highest = R$69.90, lowest = R$29.90). In third place, with a variation of 108.90%, 1kg of Chilean olives, in the capital (highest = R$99.98, lowest = R$47.86).
Annual comparison
The research shows that, on average, the price of items increased by 0.97% compared to the previous year. The products that changed positively were: meat (7.41%), fruit in syrup (7.22%), ready-made farofas (1.33%), preserves (8.52%), chocolates (18.20%) and panettones/chocottones (7.56%).
The increase was not greater, mainly due to the items olive oil and dried lentils, which registered a drop of 26.85% and 6.19%, respectively. The IPCA (IBGE) for the period analyzed showed a variation of 4.46%.
*Intern at Agência Brasil under the supervision of Odair Braz Junior
