The increase in prices in the Basic Food Basket (CBA) of the neighborhoods During the first quarter of the year it was 6.7%according to a survey of Barrial Price Index (IBP). Although there was deceleration, the income of the most vulnerable sectors failed to recover their purchasing power against prices.
In the month of Marchthe monthly rise was from 1.7% and the tendency to disparity between the different items was maintained. The fruits and vegetables They headed the increases with an accumulated rise in 13.6% So far this year, followed by Meat cuts with 7.28%and the warehouse productsthat a 3.78%.
In the monthly comparison, the item of fruits and vegetables He showed the greatest rise with a3.8%followed by meats (1.3%) and warehouse (1.09%).
Retirements, minimum wage and Auh: all below food
The government argues that income began to recover purchasing power, but the data shows another reality. The Minimum retirementthat in December 2024 It was from $ 329,597.70he went up 5.92% In three months, reaching $ 349,097.70 in Marchwith an improvement of just $ 19,500 in front of the 6.7% Uploaded in food.
For its part, the Vital and mobile minimum salary passed from $ 279,718 In December a $ 296,832 In March, which meant an increase in 6.11% either $ 17,114also below the evolution of food.
Only the Universal child allocation (AUH) exceeded the increase in CBA, with a rise in the 7.5% In the quarter. That represented $ 7,000 more for each lower beneficiary. However, the amount remains insufficient to cover the cost of a basic diet, considering the strong rise of nutritious products.
The rise in the essential products
Within the 57 products that integrate the CBAa strong dispersion in the increases was recorded, especially in the products of store. The dairy – such as fluid milk, cheeses and yogurt– were the ones who climbed the most, while the prices of the breadhe ricethe Guiseros noodleshe sugarthe jams and some FIAMBRES.
This difference makes a worrying trend: products with high nutritional value rose, while the less healthy – due to their high content of sugars and fats – went down. This situation especially affects families with young children.
In the case of the meatthe quarterly rise was from 7.28%with notable increases in the roastthe Carnazathe Milanesas de Nalga and the chicken.
The fruits and vegetablesfundamental for a balanced diet, they headed the rises of the quarter. The increase in this area puts access to fresh and healthy foods.
When analyzing the 21 food more consumed by families, an increase in 14.2% In the first quarter, more than double the general average of the CBA. This difference shows the real pressure on homes, which allocate much of their income to a small group of key products.
Consumption fell
The report also stressed that the price deceleration occurred at the expense of a considerable fall in consumption. Although inflation lost strength compared to 2024the improvement was not reflected in a recovery of purchasing power.
In a context in which registered private salaries had stops of the 1.5% monthly authorized by him Ministry of LaborIncome lost purchase capacity against food. According to the official story itself, these income should have begun to recover land, but the numbers show something else.
While essential food prices continue to rise, popular sectors are increasingly restricted their access to adequate diet. The slowdown in inflation did not reach, for now, to reverse the loss accumulated in recent years.
Source: Ambito
