Agricultural chains and products and the Brazilian inflation of feeding at home

Abstract

The study identified and ordered the main types of products and agricultural chains with contribution, between 2007 and 2014, to feeding at home inflation in Brazil. Were used data of Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA) from IBGE. Were calculated weighted averages and contribution to inflation from the sub-items structure participation on IPCA in 2008-09. Against variation of 55.25% in the IPCA, the feeding at home subgroup increased 85.79%. Of its 16 items only three ranged below the IPCA and meat recorded highest elevation. Among the sub-items, almost 25% at home inflation was due to bread, fluid milk and three types of beef. In agricultural chains, were not found large differences in price variations among marketable (significant international trade) and unmarketable products. Fresh or minimally processed products had higher price increases compared in those with medium or high degree of processing. It is suggested the adoption of specific policies, especially rural credit and research, to encourage the production of those products with small international market, for which it is assumed that the effects of international prices are lower.