President Jair Bolsonaro made an appeal today (9) for supermarkets to reduce the profit margin on staple foods to contain inflation. The request was made at the National Supply Chain Forum, organized by the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (Abras), an event in which the president participated by videoconference, directly from Los Angeles (USA), where he is participating in the 9th Summit of the Americas today (9 ) and tomorrow (10).
“The appeal I make to you, for the entire production chain, so that the products of the basic basket, each one obtains the lowest possible profit, so that we can give satisfaction to a considerable part of the population, especially the most humble”, stated. “I know the profit margin has been getting smaller and smaller too, but I ask you to collaborate a little more,” he continued. During his speech, the president stressed that inflation is a current problem worldwide, due to the effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Economy Minister Paulo Guedes participated in the session with Bolsonaro, also by videoconference. He cited efforts by the federal government to reduce taxes and also reinforced the call for supermarkets to freeze prices for the next few months. Brazil is experiencing a period of high inflation and will have general elections in October.
“The conversation is as follows: ICMS, IPI, we reduced these taxes, so, along the chain, truce. That’s what you, João Galassi [presidente da Abras], said very well, the following: ‘new price list, only in 2023’. Lock prices! Let’s stop raising prices there [por] two or three months, we are in a decisive moment for Brazil”, he said.
