According to data released by the Brazilian Federation of Statistics and Socio-Economic Studies (Dieese), the price of basic foodstuffs rose in all 27 capital cities surveyed in April. This is the second consecutive Dieese survey to record price increases across all capital cities.

"CNN Brazil" reported that the cities with the largest monthly price increases were, in order, Porto Velho,+ 5.60%), Fortaleza, + 5.46%, Cuiabá, + 4.97%, Boa Vista, + 4.36%, Rio Branco, + 4.05% and Teresina, + 4.02%.

According to Dieese, the basic food basket was the most expensive in April in Sao Paulo, with an average price of R $906.14. It was followed by Cuiaba (880.06 reais), Rio de Janeiro (879.03 reais) and Florianopolis (847.26 reais).

The lowest cost is Aracaju (Aracaju, R $619.32),São Luís (RR 639.24), Maceió (RR 652.94) and Portovieju (RR 658.35) are the capitals of the northern and northeastern regions, with different compositions of their basic food baskets.

Compared with April last year, the cost of the basic food basket increased in 18 capital cities and fell in another nine. Increases were particularly pronounced in Cuiaba (+ 9.99%), El Salvador (+ 7.14%) and Aracaju (+ 6.79%). In contrast, prices fell in St. Louis (-4.84%) and St. Paul (-0.34%).

Dieese estimated that the minimum wage for a family of four in April should be R $7612.49, equivalent to 4.7 times the current adjusted minimum wage of R $1621.

Between March and April, whole milk was the food with a higher price in all 27 cities. Gains ranged from 1.63 per cent in Macapa to 15.70 per cent in Dresina. Full-fat milk prices have risen in 14 capital cities over the past 12 months. According to the Dieese report, the reduced supply of agricultural products due to the low season has pushed up the price of dairy products.

Bean prices rose in 26 cities between March and April.Black bean prices rose in almost all capital cities, with increases ranging from 3.51% in Curitiba to 6.87% in Florianópolis.Price increases for cariocas ranged from 0.62% in Goiania to 17.86% in Palmas. According to the agency, demand has underpinned the price of the carioca bean, while also affecting the commercial value of black beans.

Tomato prices rose in all cities in the last survey, and they rose in 25 cities between March and April. The increase ranged from 1.75% in Recife to 25.58% in Fortaleza. Prices declined in Rio de Janeiro (-7.92%) and Belo Horizonte (-1.32%). According to Dieese, the increase in prices is due to reduced supplies between the summer and winter harvesting seasons.

French bread prices rose in 22 of 27 capital cities. The biggest increases were in Palmas (+ 4.00%) and Brasilia (+ 1.64%). Wheat prices continued to be affected by limited supply and strong demand, leading to higher flour prices.

Meanwhile, beef prices rose in 22 out of 27 cities, with increases ranging from 0.51 per cent in Porto Alegre to 4.78 per cent in Cuiaba. Dieese noted that the increase in retail beef prices was due to strong external demand and limited supply of livestock for slaughter.

Conversely, coffee powder prices fell in 22 out of 27 cities, with Cuiaba (-4.56%) and Río Branco (-3.80%).Manaus saw the biggest price increase (+ 2.36%). The agency explained that the approaching harvest season, declining export volumes and uncertainty in the global economy have also led to a drop in coffee prices at retail level.