IPCA was 0.38% in April; points out IBGE

In April, the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) was 0.38% and was 0.22 percentage points above the March rate (0.16%). In April 2023, the variation had been 0.61%. In the year to date, the IPCA has accumulated an increase of 1.80% and, in the last 12 months, of 3.69%. The data was released by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

Among regional indices, only Fortaleza showed a price reduction, with a drop of 0.15%, driven by the decline in gasoline prices by 3.97% and in residential electricity by 3.80%.

The biggest variation was observed in Aracaju, with an increase of 0.78%, attributed to significant increases in onions by 27.77% and tomatoes by 23.20%.

André Almeida, manager of IPCA and INPC, highlights that of the nine groups of products and services surveyed, seven increased in April.

“The biggest impacts were observed in the Health and personal care and Food and beverages group. In the Health and personal care group, the increase of almost 3% in pharmaceutical products was due to the adjustment in drug prices that was authorized from March 31st”, he explains.

Almeida points out that Food and Beverages registered an increase of 0.70%, influenced by the rise in the price of onions and tomatoes. He explains that these food products had a reduced supply throughout the month of April.

Economist Cesar Bergo points out that the reduced supply of these foods is linked to the climate and production. He informs that transport also influenced the rise in the IPCA, with the increase in the price of gasoline, diesel and ethanol.

“This is worrying, because for the next few months, climate events will continue, as we are seeing in the South region, which is a large rural producer. So this must put pressure on prices. And also fuel prices, because the barrel of oil rose, the dollar rose and this should put pressure on fuel prices internally”, he highlights.

Bergo states that in the coming months, the declining inflation curve is expected to soften. He points out that in April, it ended up rising a little, but compared to 2023 the indices are better — and inflation tends to continue falling.

IPCA

Bergo explains that the IPCA is Brazil’s official inflation index. It has been calculated by IBGE since 1980, and refers to the variation in the price of consumption for families earning up to 40 minimum wages.

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By Brasil 61