Onion has inflation above 20% in May; see bigger highs

The official inflation of Brazil, measured by the IPCA (National Index of Prices to the Broad Consumer), rose 0.47% in May, informed this Thursday (9) the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics).

Among the 377 products and services that make up the index, the highest monthly increase was that of onion: 21.36%.

According to the IBGE, the advance in May is associated with a smaller supply of food with the end of the harvest in the South region, mainly in Santa Catarina.

“There was a restriction of supply. There was the end of the crop in the South and production shifted to other regions,” said Pedro Kislanov, IPCA manager.

Airfares recorded the second-largest price increase in May. The advance reached 18.33%.

According to Kislanov, the price of jet fuel helps explain the inflation of tickets.

In addition, the lifting of restrictions on activities has stimulated the tourism sector after restrictions in the pandemic. With the more heated demand for travel, ticket prices were pressured upwards.

The third biggest advance in prices came from vehicular gas, which rose 14.88%. The following are the ten biggest highs in May.

Biggest highs, in %

Carrots and tomatoes have higher losses

Carrots, on the other hand, fell by 24.07% in May, according to the IPCA. It was the biggest casualty of the survey.

Already the tomato retreated 23.72%. This is the second most intense fall.

The two retractions come after prices soared in the first months of 2022, which raised the basis for comparison.

Drought in the South and heavy rains in the Southeast and Northeast reduced the supply of different fruits and vegetables at the beginning of the year, which put pressure on the amounts charged to the final consumer.

“We are now starting the autumn-winter period, which is drier and allows for an increase in food supply and lower prices,” stated Kislanov.

Despite the truce in May, the carrot still accumulates 116.37% in 12 months. It’s the biggest increase on that basis of comparison.

Airline tickets follow, with an increase of 88.65% in the accumulated.

Below, see the ten biggest drops in the IPCA for May.

Biggest casualties, in %