São Paulo, October 3, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - In the month of September, the price of food products that comprise the basic food basket rose in 12 of the 16 capitals in which the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socio-Economic Studies (Dieese) accompanies monthly variations. The largest increase occurred in the city of Belo Horizonte (3.55%), but residents of the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, continue to purchase the most expensive basket in the country, at a cost of R$ 162.69. The amount is slightly higher than what São Paulo residents pay, R$ 161.45. Brasília is in third place, with R 153.35.

The Dieese study also found that, in order to provide minimally necessary levels of food, housing, education, health, clothing, transportation, hygiene, leisure, and social security, the minimum wage in September should be set at R$ 1,366.78, or 5.69 times the current ceiling.

Among the 16 capitals included in the survey, the average number of hours one must work to buy the basic food basket was estimated at 129 hours, 32 minutes per month, more than in August, when 128 hours, 18 minutes were necessary. Nevertheless, the number of hours in September was less than in September, 2002, when 136 hours, 51 minutes were necessary. Acquiring the basket in September consumed a larger portion of a typical worker's income than in August, 63.76%, as against 63.15%, but less than in September 2002, when it reached 67.36%.

Beef, coffee, rice, sugar, and tomatoes are among the products that underwent the greatest price increases. Beans, soybean oil, bananas, potatoes, and wheat flour are among the products whose prices fell during the period. (DAS)