Food and clothing: the surprising comparison between prices in Argentina and abroad

In daily life, the question that consumers in Argentina ask themselves is the same: "

How many products from the basic basket can I buy today with the money I have?"

.

When they go to the gondola they find prices that

even surprise tourists from abroad

, who perceive the increase in price.

Food prices rose in the first week of March, and inflation in dollars has persisted for months.

Clarín

carried out a price comparison between Argentina and eight countries, taking as a reference the parallel exchange rate on March 21.

Ten products were chosen,

eight foods and two pieces of clothing

from international brands.

The conclusions reflect a clear fact: of all the ranked

countries

in Latin America and Europe,

Argentina is the third with the most expensive prices.

There are some products that amaze due to their ability to

double or even triple

the price in pesos of the same product in another part of the world.

There are others that remain low in Argentina compared to other countries, and others that can cost approximately the same.

A can of intermediate brand tuna can cost about $3,785 in Argentina;

In Chile, for that same money, you can buy two cans of the same product;

in Brazil, one and a half;

in Mexico, up to three;

Even in France you can buy two cans by converting those pesos into euros.

This is one of the inputs in a food basket that can demonstrate this.

A month ago, some media began to report on

express

family trips from Mendoza to Chile, not with the intention of making a tourist visit to the neighboring country, but rather with the purpose of purchasing products that are much more expensive here.

For example, clothes

.

This can also be seen in the comparative price list: two international brands, such as

Levi's

and

Converse

, show the

clear price difference between Argentina and Chile

.

Here, buying a pair of high-waisted women's pants can cost $119,000.

In Argentine pesos, the same type of garment from that brand can be only $22,048 ($21,196 CLP).

Here, buy a pair of sneakers

Converse

's Chuck 70

can cost $114,000.

There, in Argentine pesos, that model of sneakers can be found for $67,730 ($64,990 CLP).

It is not the only country where this comparative price gap can be observed.

In Brazil and Mexico the same thing happens: in the first, that pair of sneakers can be obtained for $73,000 (R$ 359.90);

in the second, it can be purchased for $111,574 ($1,849 MN).

The difference between these clothing items in the local market and the United States is even notable, where you can get

up to two

Levi's

of that model

.

With the classic Chuck 70, there is also

a great price disparity : in Argentina, a

Converse

store

sells them for $114,000.

In the United States, they could be purchased for $85,850 (US$85);

in European countries, for $98,707 (€90).

Behind these comparative data between countries we must add another element that explains the scenario:

Argentina experiences inflation in dollars

in many of the products in the basic basket, some even

increased by more than 100%.

Compared prices

Argentina versus England, Italy, Spain, France, Mexico, Brazil, United States and Chile

Tap to explore data

»Price in Argentine pesos,

with the quotation value in blue dollars as of March 21

Can of tuna

Sausages

6u

Whole milk

1L

Instant coffee

in a jar

Fine long rice

1kg

Common sugar

1kg

Potato

1kg

Sunflower oil

1L

Jean Levis

Women

Converse

Chuck 70 Sneakers

Source:

Clarín Survey

Infographic:

Clarín

Whole milk for a liter is $990 (US$0.98), but in December the same sachet could be purchased for $570 (US$0.56), an increase of 75%.

The 900 milliliter bottle of sunflower oil in December was $800 (US$ 0.79), now it can cost up to $1,800 (US$ 1.78),

an increase of 125%

.

One kilo fine long grain rice in many Latin American and European countries continues to be

more expensive for Argentinians

, who here are paying $1,800 (US$1.78) in the markets.

The product is not much more expensive than in the United States, but in December it was around $1,200 (US$1.18).

An increase of 50%.

The latter responds to an interweaving of variables between the retail price index and the blue dollar.

The conjunction of both, the first increasing and the second decreasing, generated the explosion of prices measured in dollars and the decision of a strong increase in stocks of companies that are now dealing with a drop in sales.

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce defined the list of foods, personal hygiene and cleaning products of the basic basket that will have greater facilities to import in order to

generate greater competition, consolidate the deceleration of inflation

and with that

the price level of the products

.

From that team they pointed out in the previous days that the prices of many mass consumption products remained very high, so they hope to square the expectations of companies with the guidelines of the official macroeconomic program.

The list specifies, at least in

foods

, the following: beef loin, matambre, roast, vacuum, buttock, square, carnace and achuras;

pork in all its presentations;

tuna and croaker;

bread;

cookies (water and sweets);

rice;

wheat and corn flour;

noodles;

sugar;

sweets;

dried vegetables;

fruits and vegetables;

eggs;

cheese;

yoghurt;

oil;

butter;

milk;

cream;

coffee;

Herb;

beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic);

fine salt;

vinegar;

cocoa products.

There are others in the

care and hygiene

category , such as shampoo, conditioners, hair preparations, toothpastes, creams for denture adhesion, dental floss, body deodorants and antiperspirants.

Also in the cleaning category, such as gel bleaches, surface cleaners, liquid soaps, detergents, dishwashing liquids, liquid and powder, insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, among others.

The latter was raised in a context of conflicts and anger on the part of the national industry, which showed its concern about the government's decision and even emphasized that this measure seriously affects the

competitiveness of local producers

.

Last Friday, the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic published the regulations by which

the payment period for imports

of food, beverages and cleaning, care and personal hygiene products will be reduced.

With this measure, a payment scheme in 4 installments at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days was changed to a payment term in a single installment at 30 days.

In addition, it was determined to suspend - for a period of 120 days - the collection of additional VAT and Income Tax on imports of these products and medicines.

ACE