Is the Brazilian Economy Getting Stronger?

Judging from what my family and friends in Brazil

tell me, things are no better, maybe worse. When l was there last year l was really surprised at how expensive groceries were.

@KenAquarius

I think it depends on where you are.

Big fancy places are expensive however, I am at a little place in my neighborhood right now and a burger is 10R

I am in a lower middle class area in sao paulo.  I think I am the only foreigner in the area. Everyone loves me here.

On Paulista Ave I am just another random person on the street.

Any feedback from North / NE / West of the country?

Do you think that espetinho prices is a good proxy for food prices?

I think so. the misery and gloom of the Temer and Bolsonaro years is lifting somewhat. under Bolsonaro companies were fleeing and factories closing and now foreign investment seems to be increasing drastically. inflation has hit home though and thats a burden for most brazilians, but where hasnt that happened?

@Canforbra  im not talking about restaurants.  Speaking of groceries. l see a huge difference from just 3 years ago.

Talking to a bunch of Brits and Americans over dinner tonight, I asked how they felt prices have changed. Simply, while everyone expects prices always to increase, they feel that in Brazil they have increased overall at a slower rate than abroad. Apparently in the UK and US prices recently have gone crazy...?

Earlier today, we tried to find some red, yellow and orange peppers for a BBQ we want to do on Sunday - they are much more expensive here than green ones - and we did have to visit a few stores before we were successful, and this is possibly a reflection on how store owners are reacting to price increases - by reducing the standard of their produce availability, rather than passing on higher prices?

Out of interest, I was also asked today by a lady from Croatia if she could live relatively comfortably here for around 1200 euros per month (about R$6300 or US$1300). No big outlays, parties, etc, so I said yes. Do you agree?

03/08/24 Earlier today, we tried to find some red, yellow and orange peppers for a BBQ we want to do on Sunday - they are much more expensive here than green ones - and we did have to visit a few stores before we were successful, and this is possibly a reflection on how store owners are reacting to price increases - by reducing the standard of their produce availability, rather than passing on higher prices?
   

    -@Peter Itamaraca

I notice the same increased push to reduce funds tied up in inventory here by reducing both selections and quantities, too.  A risky strategy with the online sector growing stronger every day.  Soon there will be no more captive markets to buy whatever a retailer wants to sell to them.

@Peter Itamaraca I agree! I live in the Northeastern area of Ceara. Until I start earning money that is my sweet spot unless I want to dip into my retirement funds. I hope to start generating money in the next two years, in case the economy drastically changes.

Roddie in Retirement

@Pablo888 I live in a small village in the Northeast. In @Peter Itamaraca post I agreed with his pricing.

Roddie in Retirement

I notice the same increased push to reduce funds tied up in inventory here by reducing both selections and quantities, too.  A risky strategy with the online sector growing stronger every day.  Soon there will be no more captive markets to buy whatever a retailer wants to sell to them.
   

    -@abthree

In the US, packages are becoming smaller for the same price.  There is a new term coined - "shrinkflation" and even the Muppets Cookie Monster is complaining -> https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/20 … 52339007/.  According to experts, "shrinkflation" is caused by corporate greed trying to keep a healthy margin even in a high inflation environment.

I am hoping that "shrinkflation" has not happened in Brazil....

@Pablo888

Oh, I think corporate greed is alive and kicking in Brazil...!

In the UK we started to see the term shrinkflation about 10 or 15 years ago, and it was exemplified by the large global corporations - and they certainly exist here!

    Out of interest, I was also asked today by a lady from Croatia if she could live relatively comfortably here for around 1200 euros per month (about R$6300 or US$1300). No big outlays, parties, etc, so I said yes. Do you agree?
   

    -@Peter Itamaraca

I think that a person could live comfortably in Ilhéus on 1,200 euros per month.

Alan

The prices of groceries have gone up a little since I was in brazil last. However, the cost has not increased nearly as much or as fast as they had in canada when I was there last.

I am about to start a gardening experiment here in brazil. I normally use seeds for planting. However, I watched some interesting videos on tiktok recently where you can grow apples with other fruits by cutting them in half and taping them together.

It will be interesting. I need to buy some soil soon.

I am interested in growing tomatoes via slices as well.

In canada I grew potatoes this way as well.

northeast prices fluxuate. ups and downs. However we are having more big box office atacadaos and other type chains opening in the northeast, If i remember its a offshoot of carrefour