Brazil’s IPCA consumer price index rose 0.82 per cent in September after falling in August, according to IBGE. Annual inflation reached 4.58 per cent. Electricity made the largest individual contribution as August’s Itaipu discount ended. Prices rose across all nine main spending categories, including housing, transport and food, although some individual food items became cheaper.
Brazil’s broad consumer price index, known as IPCA, rose 0.82 per cent in September, according to IBGE, the country’s official statistics agency. Annual inflation reached 4.58 per cent.[1], [2]
Prices had fallen 0.32 per cent in August, when the annual rate was 4.22 per cent. The increase from the start of the year stood at 3.95 per cent. These figures describe monthly, annual and cumulative changes in household prices.[1]
Residential electricity became 7.98 per cent more expensive over the month and added 0.32 points to the overall index, its largest individual contribution. IBGE links the increase to the end of the Itaipu discount credited to August bills and also notes local tariff adjustments. The housing category rose 2.31 per cent, contributing 0.35 percentage points to September inflation.[1]
All nine main spending categories rose. Transport increased 0.89 per cent and food and beverages 0.83 per cent; each contributed 0.18 points. Air fares rose 9.66 per cent and fuels increased 1.41 per cent. The price changes and their contributions to the index are separate measures.[1]
Food consumed at home rose 0.96 per cent in price. Tomatoes increased 37.76 per cent, potatoes 24.07 per cent and onions 10.14 per cent. Whole chicken became 1.96 per cent cheaper and fruit prices declined 1.12 per cent. The IPCA covers consumption by families earning between one and 40 minimum wages. Regional monthly increases ranged from 1.08 per cent in Vitória to 0.53 per cent in Rio Branco, both Brazilian cities.[1]
