Panel SA: Brazilian takes turkey out of Christmas dinner to dribble price

Purchases of products typical of Christmas dinner are more measured this year, according to a survey by consultancy Horus, which shows a reduction in quantity, at the same time that average spending has risen.

It is the effect of inflation, which led most products to register, in 2022, a higher average price than in the same period last year. “Practically all items in the basket were discharged in the double-digit range”, says Luiza Zacharias, new business director at Horus.

According to the Horus survey, carried out from December 1st to December 17th, of 14 typical Christmas products, only two had a reduction in the average price in Brazil.

The kilogram of pork loin decreased by 3.9% compared to 2021, from R$ 29.05 to R$ 27.93. Nuts also registered a reduction in the average price per kilo, from R$ 90.92, in 2021, to R$ 87.74, in 2022. “It is an interesting opportunity. In recent months, with inflation, other items such as beef and chicken went up, but the loin went down”, says Luiza.

The Horus survey also found that by the week ending on the 17th, consumers had reduced or cut the quantities of most Christmas products. The biggest reduction comes from turkey, one of the items with the highest price increase compared to 2021.

On average, consumers reduced the amount of turkey they took home by 58.7%. The bird is costing, according to Horus, 26.9% more in 2022. “The consumer will have to balance the budget to make supper fit in his pocket, understand the products with greater advantages”, says Luiza. “The disbursement could be 15% to 20% higher than in 2021.”

After turkey, the majorities are cider (28.6%), cod (18.6%), panettone (17.8%) and sparkling wine (14.6%).

Joana Cunha with Fernanda Brigatti