Rio, 11/19/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - A drop in government-controlled prices, such as fuel, along with lower food prices, is seen as the reason for a decline in the Broad Consumer Price Index - 15 in November. After rising 0.66% in October, it rose only 0.17%, reports the statistical bureau (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística) (IBGE).

Fees for water, sewage and telephones all rose significantly less in November than in October. The same was true for alcohol fuel and kitchen gas.

Food prices rose 0.31%, compared to 0.87% in October. The highlight was beef, down 3.66%. However chicken prices rose 7.98% (the only good thing about that was that the increase in November was less than in October when they rose 8.58%).

From January to November, the cumulative rise of the IPCA-15 is now 9.36%, and for the last 12 months, 12.69%. The IPCA-15 (which measures inflation for 15-day periods) is a preview of the IPCA (which covers the whole month). The IPCA is used by the government to gauge inflation targets. (AB)