Increases of up to 30% were seen in medicines and 20% in mass consumption. There were also increases in dollars in inputs and some suppliers slowed their sales. Oil companies expect a jump in fuel prices in the coming days.
Everyone discounts a devaluation. And they want to anticipate. The expectation of an imminent exchange rate jump accelerated the rise in prices in different items this week. In medicines, increases of up to 30% were recorded and in mass consumption the re-markings on the lists reached 20%. The supplies distributed had increases in dollars and some distributors of construction materials decided to stop their sales. The oil companies anticipate a new jump in gasoline and consulting firms speak of an acceleration of the consumer price index for December and January.
The dollar and prices are not separate issues. And even more so when the reference is to the official quote, which serves as a guide for importing final goods and inputs. This Wednesday in the spot segment, a handful of operations were agreed between private parties dated December 11 at $500 and, if you look at the MATBA-Rofex futures, the expected price for the end of the year is around $740.
No one knows what the ceiling is, but it is clear that the $360 benchmark has an expiration date. The future Minister of the Interior, Guillermo Francos, said that a “reasonable” dollar could be around $600 or $650. A devaluation close to 80%. Although these statements were not ratified either by the next head of the Treasury Palace, Luis Caputo, or by the elected president Javier Milei, many companies are beginning to work with that scenario.
A few weeks ago the fever to anticipate the changes that are coming. But the phenomenon accelerated strongly in the last three days. Supermarkets, self-service stores and kiosks received new lists with increases of up to 20%. “There are increases on everything and for everyone’s tastes,” a supermarket owner told this outlet to point out that the situation is widespread.
Unlike other occasions, supermarkets had to accept the new lists. First, because it is clear that it is not within the intentions of the new government to continue with any price control program. Second, the stock. There is not much margin left before the break and demand has been growing due to seasonality and expectations.
The most sensitive remarks were reflected in the medicines. Pharmacies say they received increases of up to 30%. The laboratories explain that in their case the two factors are mixed, the devaluation that is coming and a delay that was dragging on due to the freeze agreed with the Government until last month. They also demand an update on the negotiations with PAMI; They talk about 80%.
The acceleration is widespread. Even among those who have their contributions tied to the variation of the dollar. Two large companies that sell fundamental inputs for industry and construction reported increases of 8% in profiles, 10% in wire rods, 12% in wires, 12% in bars and 15% in welding. Others limited payment terms or ask that it be in cash. Some asphalt and diesel suppliers directly stopped their sales.
For their part, the oil companies They have already had dialogue with Milei representatives and they assure that they have an authorized increase for the coming days. Although They expect that the reduction of the gap between local and export prices will take at least 18 months. Transportation companies take note and ask for an update of the bus ticket. Inside they ask that it go to $550 and threaten forceful measures.
The Institute for Social Economic Research and Citizen Policy (ISECPCi), which measures prices in neighborhood stores, detected an increase of 14.8% in November. The consulting firms are already recalculating their projections and are talking about inflation close to 20% for the month of December. A hot summer is coming and not just because of climate change.
Source: Ambito
