Consumption in Brazilian homes grew 2.26% in the first two months of 2022 compared to the same period last year, according to the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (AbrasMercado).
In comparison with February 2021, the growth was 3.98%. In relation to January, the indicator retreated 0.90%. According to Abras, the drop is explained by the calendar effect, that is, a smaller number of days in February when compared to the previous month.
According to Abras, after the beginning of the year with positive growth, but at a moderate pace, the household consumption indicator corresponds to the estimate of the supermarket sector, which predicts a 2.80% increase for 2022. first two months, despite high inflation and high unemployment”, highlighted the Institutional Vice President of ABRAS, Marcio Milan.
One of the factors that, according to Milan, has contributed to the maintenance of family consumption is the consolidation of income transfers via social programs, such as Auxílio Brasil. He recalled that the scenario in the first two months of last year was unstable and the consumer lived in the uncertainty of receiving emergency aid, with the end of payment of the benefit decreed in December 2020 and the resumption only from April 2021.
“This year, since February, the extraordinary benefit payment, Auxílio Brasil, is guaranteed to at least 18 million families across the country until the end of the year. This money in hand brings certain security to the consumer”, he analyzed.
Abras estimates that the Extraordinary Withdrawal of the Guarantee Fund (FGTS), whose forecast is to release R$ 30 billion to 42 million people, can contribute to the increase in consumption.
AbrasMarket
AbrasMercado (basket of 35 consumer products) registered a high of 1.33% in February compared to the previous month. Thus, the price in the national average went from R$ 709.63 in January to R$ 719.06 in February. In the accumulated of 12 months, the national basket registers high of 13.53%.
According to Abras, the highest increases in February were driven by potatoes (23.49%), beans (4.77%), onions (3.26%), eggs (2.79%) and wheat flour (2, 76%). On the other hand, ham (-3.01%), frozen chicken (-2.29%), cheese (-0.15%), powdered soap (-0.14%), whole milk powder (-0.05%) and pet soda (-0.05%).
The Southeast Region had the greatest variation in the average price of the basket, with an increase of 1.58%, from R$ 689.11 in January to R$ 700.00 in February. The second largest variation occurred in the Central-West Region, with 1.57%, changing from R$ 651.78 in January to R$ 661.99 in February. In the other regions, the biggest monthly changes in the price of the basket were respectively: South (1.21%), Northeast (1.18%), North (1.15%).
