Rio - Inflation measured by the Broad Consumer Price Index-15 (IPCA-15) for the month of July is running at 0.93%, compared to 0.56% in June. During the first seven months of the year, cumulative inflation has reached 4.30%. For the last 12 months it is 6.53%.

According to the government statistical bureau (IBGE), July inflation was boosted by fuel, electricy and hard line telephone prices. Gasoline, for example, went up 5.64%, after Petrobras gave refineries a 10.8% increase. Gasoline prices had risen 0.52% in June. With a spike in sugarcane prices, Brazil's alcohol fuel rose 7.11%.

Rainy, cold weather also pushed up some food prices. Tomatoes were 14.74% more expensive, onions up 16.67% and potato up 6.05%.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Nielmar de Oliveira
Translator: Allen Bennett
26/07/2004