In the month of July, the acquisition of food sets for those who live in Porto Alegre became more expensive, because the basic food basket in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul ended the month costing R$ 777.16. After fluctuating among the most expensive basic baskets in the country since the beginning of the year, it surpassed the value in São Paulo, becoming the most expensive basket in the country among the 17 capitals where the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese) carries out monthly Basic Food Basket Survey.
Remember: Despite the drop, Porto Alegre still has the second most expensive basic food basket in the country ::
According to Dieese, the value of basic foodstuffs decreased in 13 of the 17 capitals. Between June and July 2023, the most important falls occurred in Recife (-4.58%), Campo Grande (-4.37%), João Pessoa (-3.90%) and Aracaju (-3.51%). . The positive variation was observed in Porto Alegre (0.47%); and, in the other cities, there was relative stability, Salvador (0.03%), Brasília (0.04%) and Fortaleza (0.05%).
The most expensive ones were registered in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, followed by São Paulo (R$ 769.95), Florianópolis (R$ 746.66) and Rio de Janeiro (R$ 738.12). In the cities of the North and Northeast, where the composition of the basket is different, the lowest average values were registered in Aracaju (R$ 547.22), João Pessoa (R$ 581.31), Recife (R$ 592.71) and Salvador (R$ 596.04).
In the seven months of 2023, the cost of the basic food basket decreased in nine cities, with more expressive rates in Vitória (-7.44%), Goiânia (-6.66%), Belo Horizonte (-6.25%) and Campo Large (-6.17%). Increases varied between 1.15% in Fortaleza and 5.02% in Aracaju.
:: Tax reform ensures reduced taxation for pesticides ::
Values in the capitals in July, 2023 / Source: Dieese
The basic basket in Porto Alegre
The basic basket of Porto Alegre registered a variation of 0.47% in July 2023, starting to cost R$ 777.16. Of the 13 products surveyed, five registered a price increase: tomatoes (10.38%), potatoes (3.59%), bananas (1.13%), soy oil (0.88%) and bread (0.74%). Six items were cheaper: milk (-4.80%), coffee (-3.98%), wheat flour (-3.36%), beans (-3.00%), butter (-1.98%) and meat (-1.03%). Sugar and rice were stable in July.
:: Tax reform exempts basic food basket; but what basket? ::
From January to July 2023, the basket registered a variation of 1.51%. Nine items increased: potatoes (13.82%), milk (11.21%), tomatoes (11.19%), beans (10.63%), rice (9.36%), bread (4.71%), sugar (3.56%), butter (0.27%) and meat (0.15%). On the other hand, four were cheaper: soy oil (-25.61%), bananas (-14.71%), coffee (-8.63%) and wheat flour (-6.76% ).
In the accumulated of the last 12 months, the basket recorded a change of 3.23%. Increases were registered in seven of the 13 products in the basket: tomatoes (70.35%), potatoes (26.51%), rice (14.22%), bread (6.95%), butter ( 5.04%), sugar (4.26%) and beans (3.42%). Six items were cheaper: soybean oil (-32.69%), milk (-28.73%), coffee (-10.26%), bananas (-10.15%), flour wheat (-4.03%) and meat (-1.83%).
:: Economy improves, and negotiations begin to guarantee workers a real raise ::
Food prices in Porto Alegre / Source: Dieese
Ideal Salary
The minimum wage needed to support a family of four, according to Dieese’s estimate, should be R$ 6,528.93 or 4.95 times the minimum wage of R$ 1,320.00. In June, the required amount was R$ 6,578.41 and corresponded to 4.98 times the minimum floor. In July 2022, the minimum required should have been BRL 6,388.55 or 5.27 times the amount in force at the time, which was BRL 1,212.00.
The calculation is made based on the most expensive basket, which, in July, was Porto Alegre, and taking into account the constitutional determination that establishes that the minimum wage must be sufficient to meet the expenses of a worker and his family with food, housing, health, education, clothing, hygiene, transportation, leisure and social security.
According to the department, the average time needed to purchase basic basket products increased from 113 hours and 19 minutes in June to 111 hours and 8 minutes in July. In July 2022, the average journey was 120 hours and 37 minutes.
When comparing the cost of the basket and the net minimum wage, that is, after the 7.5% discount, referring to Social Security, it is verified that the worker paid by the national minimum wage committed, on average, in July 2023, 54 .61% of net income to purchase basic food products, and, in June, 55.63%. In July 2022, the percentage was 59.27%.
Source: BdF Rio Grande do Sul
Editing: Katia Marko
