Despite the lack of results to curb inflation, the Government faces the last leg of the negotiations to
relaunch a new version of Fair Prices
, which will include products from various categories, including mass consumption, textiles, footwear, electronics and materials for construction. The Secretary of Commerce, led by Matías Tombolini
, aspires 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, the next."
Right in the middle of the controversy over the intervention of truckers or pro-government piquetero groups in price control operations and supermarket supplies.
And the controversy grows over the low level of compliance with the program, especially in the mass consumption category.
For the Government, there is a 70% shortage.
This is that out of every 10 products, only 7 are actually on the shelves.
But qualified sources from the supermarket
assure that the supply level averages 45%
.
This not only affects the basket of 2,000 frozen products since December.
Because Tombolini demanded that the chains reject increases above 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 blame the manufacturers for not fulfilling the orders.
And the suppliers argue that they cannot cope with
an overheated 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 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 own prediction of the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa (less than 4% in April) and the guideline of 60% for the whole year. established in the Budget Law.
Tombolini's secretariat advanced the negotiations (they were scheduled for February) for a new version of Fair Prices,
this time for 5 months
, which will include a new basket of 2,000 basic products with frozen prices, and which
will cover more than 50,000 items
of more than 10 sectors, which may not increase more than 3.2% per month.
"Once the fiscal and reserve accumulation goals have been met, we understand that the conditions are in place to standardize all price agreements," explained an official source.
It is a commitment that will be assumed in principle by
some 450 companies
of mass consumption, sports shoes, cell phones, clothing, textiles, laboratories, industrial supplies and construction materials.
"Surely more sectors will be incorporated during the week," said an official close to Tombolini.
look too
Low-income people pay up to 25% more for "Fair Prices" products
look too
Sergio Massa at his worst, with the dollar out of control and thin reserves
