Despite the lack of results to curb inflation, the government faces the last stage of negotiations for relaunch a new version of Fair Priceswhich will include products from various categories, including mass consumption, textiles, footwear, electronics and building materials. The Ministry of Commerce, led by Matías Tomboliniaims to renew the program until the end of June, with monthly increases of 3.2%.
Near Tombolini they hope to make the announcement in the coming days, “If not this week, next.” Right in the middle of the controversy over the intervention of truck drivers or pro-government piquetero groups in price control operations and supermarket supplies. And the controversy over the low level of adherence to the program is growing, especially in the category of mass consumption.
For the government, there is a 70% shortage. This is that out of 10 products, only 7 are actually on the shelves. But qualified sources of supermarkets ensure that the level of supply is on average 45%. This doesn’t just affect the basket of 2,000 frozen products since December. Because Tombolini has demanded that the chains refuse increases of more than 4% per month: in Tombolini’s jargon, this is “the price path”.
“The shortage is widespread. There are products, what is noticeable is the lack of variety”, say the chains and recall that the level of shortages is the highest since Precios Cuidados was created, which debuted in 2014. The owners of the gondolas accuse the producers of not fulfilling the orders. And the suppliers say they can’t make it up to the answer a heated demand precisely because the products are the cheapest on the market.
All in a context of accelerating inflation. In December, according to INDEC, the cost of living increased by 5.1% and 2022 closed with 94.8%, the highest record in the last 32 years. Private consultants estimate a new rise for January (around 6%), which contrasts with the same forecast of the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa (less than 4% in April) and the 60% guideline for the entire year established in the Budget Law.
Tombolini’s secretariat anticipated the negotiations (they were scheduled for February) for a new version of Prici Giusti, this time for 5 monthswhich will include a new basket of 2,000 commodity items with frozen prices, and which one will cover more than 50,000 items of more than 10 sectors, which cannot grow more than 3.2% per month. “Once the fiscal and reserve accumulation targets are achieved, we understand that the conditions are in place to standardize all price agreements,” explained an official source.
It is a commitment they will make in principle about 450 companies mass consumption, sports shoes, mobile phones, clothing, textiles, laboratories, industrial inputs and building materials. “Definitely more sectors will be incorporated during the week,” said an official close to Tombolini.
Source: Clarin
