The prices of Brazilian vegetables have dropped in supply centres around the country in the first month of the year, the National Supply Company (CONAB) announced this week.
Onions were the vegetable with the biggest drop in price – a 55.5% reduction in the state of Acre, reaching a low BRL 2 per kilogramme. Onion prices followed the pattern in six of the nine supply centres in Brazil.
Potatoes are also cheaper in most Brazilian states, with prices ranging from BRL 2.40 in Acre to BRL 1.02 in Rio de Janeiro – a decrease of 36.84% and 24.49%, respectively.
The cost of tomatoes also dropped around the country. The state of Ceará registered a 32.49% decrease in prices, closing January at BRL 0.85 per kilogramme. The capital, Brasília, was the only centre to see a price rise (+28.39%).
Meanwhile, carrots became more expensive in all Brazilian supply centres, with the highest increase at 22.15%, in the state of Minas Gerais. Still, the vegetable's price has declined, when compared to rates in May 2016.
Fruit Prices On The Rise
Although vegetables became cheaper across the country, prices for popular fruit in Brazil skyrocketed.
The price per kilogramme of oranges increased in most supply centres, with the highest rate in Rio de Janeiro – an increase of 17.5% (BRL 1.52).
Bananas and apples also became generally more expensive. In Acre, a kilo of bananas is 52% more expensive (BRL 2.56/kg), while the price of apples is 36.43% higher in Minas Gerais (BRL 3.87/kg).
The only popular fruit to have a price decrease in January was the papaya, with a 32.97% drop in Rio de Janeiro and 27.96% in the capital, Brasília. Prices now range between BRL 1.99/kg and BRL 2.97/kg, respectively.
The rainy season and current weather conditions in Brazil are currently affecting fruit prices. Farmers are struggling, especially with orange production, which has been bringing the price of the fruit and juice up since December of last year.
Specialists foresee a similar scenario for February.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Josiane Lang. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
