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The appeal was made during the National Chain Forum, organized by the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (Abras) this Thursday (9)
Last Thursday (9) a National Prison Forum was held, organized by the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (Abras), which had the remote presence of President Jair Bolsonaro and Economy Minister Paulo Guedes. During the event, there was an appeal by the top of the federal government for supermarkets to freeze prices, mainly of the basic basket, to overcome the inflation of 2022. Could we then become a new Venezuela?
The policy of freezing prices has already been adopted previously, by means of government decrees, in countries such as Venezuela, Argentina and even here in Brazil, in the 80s. However, this method to contain inflation proved to be ineffective, since promoted shortages in several supermarkets. Read the article and find out today if Brazil can become a new Venezuela.
See how Bolsonaro and Guedes' statements were to contain inflation in 2022 with the video below
Bolsonaro asks supermarkets to freeze prices until the end of the year, especially for basic basket products
The statements made on Thursday (9) came after the release of some numbers by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). According to the data, although inflation slowed down by 0,47% in May, IPCA has already accumulated 11,73% in twelve months, which is worrying and indicates the advance of inflation in 2022.
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“The appeal I make to you, to the entire production chain, is for the basic basket products to obtain the lowest possible profit, so that we can satisfy a considerable part of the population, especially the most humble”
Jair Bolsonaro in a statement during an Abras (Brazilian Association of Supermarkets) event in 2022
At another point, he said that in difficult times like the one we are going through, we need a joint effort, so that Brazil prospers again. Still according to the report, the efforts come from the reduction in the profit margin, which would be essential at that moment.
“In difficult times, I understand that we all have to collaborate. I know that the profit margin has been decreasing more and more. You have already collaborated in this sense, but collaborate a little more in the profit margin of the basic basket products. If it is answered, I am very grateful; if it is not, it is because it is not possible”
Jair Bolsonaro in a statement during an Abras (Brazilian Association of Supermarkets) event in 2022
At the end of his participation, he also declared that he hopes for the brief end of the War between Ukraine and Russia, as this can help the world scenario.
“We have faith in God that this crisis in the two countries will soon come to an end, as well as the virus, which, by all indications, has already come to an end”
Jair Bolsonaro in a statement during an Abras (Brazilian Association of Supermarkets) event in 2022
Paulo Guedes speaks and reinforces the request for a price freeze made by Bolsonaro
Reiterating what the chief executive requested, Paulo Guedes gave his statements about keeping profits low and reinforced that the effort is a joint effort to fight inflation in 2022.
“I end by reinforcing the request, which is the following: now is the time to put a brake on this price hike. It's voluntary, it's for the good of Brazil. In the same way that governors have to put their hand in their pockets and help Brazil, the Brazilian business community has to understand the following: slow down a little now because we have to break this inflationary chain”
Paulo Guedes, Minister of Economy, during an Abras (Brazilian Association of Supermarkets) event in 2022
He went on to say that taxes can be controlled by the government, but the price list is something more complicated to control.
“The conversation is as follows: ICMS, IPI, we reduce, then along the chain, truce. New price list only in 2023. Price lock. We will stop raising prices for 2 or 3 months. We are at a decisive moment for Brazil.”
Paulo Guedes, Minister of Economy, during an Abras (Brazilian Association of Supermarkets) event in 2022
After all, can Brazil really become a Venezuela?
Not at first. Paulo Guedes and Bolsonaro made just an “appeal” to Abras and to merchants to help free the population from the suffocation of inflation in 2022. However, there was no pen stroke and there is also no forecast for a mandatory price freeze.
Therefore, we must wait for the scenes of the next chapters. After all, the highest levels of government do not signal an obligation to freeze prices. Therefore, we are far from being Venezuela, with supermarket shortages.
