The basic food basket in the capital of São Paulo increased by 1.15% in October compared to the previous month, according to a survey by Procon-SP carried out in partnership with the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese).
The value on September 30th was R$1,268.03, rising to R$1,282.60 on October 31st. The personal hygiene and cleaning groups fell by 2.04% and 0.63%, respectively, while the food group recorded an increase of 1.60%.
In food, the biggest increases were in boneless second meat (8.71%), prime meat (7.44%), coffee powder (6.49%), soybean oil (5.5%) and wheat flour (5.49%).
Considering the last 12 months, the research revealed that the increase in the basket was 8.52%, based on October 2023. In the period, the food group increased by 9.89% and personal hygiene, by 3.69% , while cleaning fell by 3.2%.
The products in the food group with the greatest positive change in the last 12 months were potatoes (48.35%), powdered coffee (33.05%), rice (28.97%), garlic (24.46%) and milk (24.15%).
There are several reasons that justify fluctuations in the prices of basic food products, explains Procon-SP, depending on the item analyzed. Causes include weather problems, seasonal issues, excess or shortage of supply or demand for products, food prices, commoditiesexchange rate variations, stock formation and tax exemptions.
In relation to prime and second meats, Procon-SP pointed out that climatic conditions – drought and fires – and the warming of Brazilian exports contributed to the increase in the price of beef on the domestic market.
With the reduced global supply of coffee, especially in Vietnam, demands were directed to Brazil, and exports also grew, and the long period without rain is already harming the development of the next harvest in the country.
In relation to soybean oil, the agency indicates that its appreciation in the foreign market, the greater domestic demand by the biodiesel and food industries and the increase in export premiums resulted in the oil becoming more expensive at retail. The increase in wheat and derivatives, including flour, occurred due to low productivity in the state, analyzed Procon-SP.
