For the second consecutive month, the cost of the basic food basket increased in all Brazilian state capitals and in the Federal District in April. The largest increases were identified in Porto Velho, with an average variation of 5.60%, followed by Fortaleza (5.46%), Cuiabá (4.97%), Boa Vista (4.36%), Rio Branco (4.05%), and Teresina (4.02%).
The data comes from the "National Survey of the Basic Food Basket," a survey published monthly by the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese) in collaboration with the National Supply Company (Conab).
In March of this year, the survey had already indicated an increase in all Brazilian state capitals.
Year-to-date, all state capitals registered an increase in the average price of the basic food basket, with rates ranging from 1.56% in São Luís to 14.80% in Aracaju.
One of the main factors contributing to the increase in the cost of the basic food basket was whole milk, which increased in all analyzed state capitals. The largest increase was recorded in Teresina, where the average variation reached 15.70%. According to the survey, this was due to a reduction in supply in the agricultural sector due to the off-season, which increased the price of dairy products.
The price of beans, on the other hand, increased in 26 Brazilian state capitals, with the exception of Vitória, where it remained unchanged. Another product that weighed heavily on the value of the basket was tomatoes, which increased in 25 cities, with decreases in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, and a significant increase of 25% in Fortaleza.
French bread, instant coffee, and prime cuts of beef increased in 22 of the 27 cities analyzed.
São Paulo has the most expensive basket.
Once again, the most expensive basic food basket in the country was in São Paulo, where the average cost in April was R$ 906.14. Following were the baskets of Cuiabá (R$ 880.06), Rio de Janeiro (R$ 879.03), and Florianópolis (R$ 847.26). In cities in the North and Northeast regions, where the composition of the basket is different, the lowest average values were recorded in Aracaju (R$ 619.32), São Luís (R$ 639.24), Maceió (R$ 652.94), and Porto Velho (R$ 658.35).
Based on the most expensive basket in the country, which in April was in São Paulo, and considering the constitutional determination that the minimum wage should be sufficient to cover expenses for food, housing, health, education, clothing, hygiene, transportation, leisure, and social security, Dieese estimated that the minimum wage in December should be R$ 7,612.49, or 4.70 times the current minimum wage of R$ 1,621.