The number of Uruguayans who cross to Argentina to make their supermarket purchases dropped considerably as a result of the increase in the cost of living in that country due to the economic measures of the government of Javier Milei.
The reduction was stipulated at 80% by the president of the Artigas Commercial and Industrial Center, Maria Lemosas reported by Correo de Cambio de Salto.
The decline in purchases by Uruguayans in Argentina is already noticeable in the reactivation of commerce in the neighboring departments which, during 2023, saw their sales reduce by 50% as a result of the exchange difference which encouraged the exodus of consumption.
According to Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Salto, retail sales in that department improved 20% so far this year. In the case of service stations, the recovery of sales of fuels amounts to 30%, also motivated by the Imesi exemption.
The price gap with Argentinaalthough it remains the same, it was reduced by 59.9% between last November and January, according to the latest publication of the Border Price Index of the UCU Salto Economic Observatory.
In the food and non-alcoholic beverage category, which represents 49% of the Border Price Indicator, the price difference decreased by 35% between November and January, reaching 93%. Even two products, rice and cooked ham, are purchased cheaper in Leap what in Concord.
This is a notable fact since, since September 2021, the price difference for that division had exceeded the 100% threshold in each record.
Source: Ambito
