Why does Argentina seem like a gift to foreign tourists (and especially if they bring dollars to change to the blue dollar or MEP or, have they been paying by card this Friday, when the special dollar for foreign travelers started ruling?
Quantum consultancy led by Daniel Marx compared various types of products in supermarkets and chains in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil (Carrefour, Pão de Açúcar, Falabella and Mercado Libre). And they came to different conclusions, depending on whether the comparison was made on the basis of the official dollar ($ 165) or the cash with settlement (CCL, at $ 305).
In CCL, the prices recorded are cheaper in Argentina than the average of similar goods in the three countries. But if measured at the official exchange rate, the differences are observed, not only in magnitudes, but also in signs.
For instance, the price of basic foods in Argentina it is below the average for those countries (49% less when using the official exchange rate and 74% less with the free rate). In any case, the value of these products is historically lower in Argentina.
For example, measured in CCL dollars, a kilo of bife de chorizo or loin which in Brazil and Uruguay costs US $ 27, in Argentina it costs US $ 6. And a liter of milk, which costs $ 0.92 in Chile, is sold for $ 0.42 in Argentine supermarkets.
Even him gas it is cheaper in the country (-42% to the official and -71% to the CCL). That is why there were lines of cars loading gasoline in border towns and the lack of diesel was more severe in those regions.
With the latest 6% increase, the liter of gasoline measured in CCL dollars is shipped here at $ 0.54 versus $ 0.54. $ 0.95 in Brazil, $ 1.45 in Chile and $ 1.85 in Uruguay.
On the contrary, in the products of personal hygiene, clothing and electronics Differences are observed depending on the exchange rate used.
The value of clothing is 57% above the official exchange rate and only 21% below the CCL. In Argentina, at the official dollar, an adult short-sleeved shirt costs US $ 16.1 and at the free exchange rate US $ 8.1, while in Brazil it costs US $ 5.6; in Uruguay, USD 8.6 and in Chile, USD 13.8.
Some Nike Revolution 6 sneakers in CCL dollars are available for $ 78 in the country, versus $ 49 in Brazil. And a Levi’s 505 jeans that here costs 62 dollars a free dollar, in Chile you pay only 35 dollars.
“Something similar happens with the price of electronics, which is 65% more at the official exchange rate and 16% less at the CCL – although the price may include the possibility of buying in installments at ‘subsidized’ interest rates ”-, says the consultant.
For example, an unlocked Samsung S 22 mobile phone costs $ 766 in Argentina, less than in the rest of the countries, where it costs between $ 1,166 (Chile) and $ 1,851 (Brazil).
The same does not happen with smart TVs. Argentina has the highest CCL dollar price in the region for an LG 60 ‘4K TV: US $ 1,130 versus US $ 530 in Chile.
“In the comparison with neighboring countries, important differences are observed, as a consequence of various factors, such as eg tax structure and level, degrees of protectionthe cost of financingetc, “says Quantum.
NEITHER
Source: Clarin
