Brazil economic indicators show mixed trends in food and medicine prices

Supermarket prices in São Paulo saw a 0.29% decrease in August 2026, according to the Supermarket Price Index (IPS) calculated by APAS and Fipe. This marks the second consecutive month of decline. The drop was driven primarily by in natura products, which fell by an average of 6.51%, with significant reductions in potatoes (-28.69%) and onions (-15.34%) due to favorable weather and increased supply.

However, processed goods rose by 0.96% in August. Notable increases included salmon (+9.24%), influenced by heavy snowfalls in the Chilean Andes affecting supply routes, as well as milk (+1.99%) and beef (+1.20%).

In a separate trend, hospital medication prices (IPM-H) rose by 0.08% in September after two months of declines. While several therapeutic groups saw price drops, such as respiratory agents (-1.70%), the overall index was pushed upward by increases in antineoplastic agents (+0.52%) and immunotherapies, vaccines, and anti-allergics (+0.22%).