Brazil's rice and bean market: Curitiba discounts as national food inflation spikes

The Curitiba municipal program "Semana da Economia" runs from July 21 to July 25, offering deep discounts on staple foods such as rice, beans, chicken, pasta and soybean oil. Prices include parboiled rice at R$ 11.99 for 5 kg and black beans at R$ 4.49 per kilo. The initiative, managed by the city's Secretariat of Food Security, aims to help the city's 353,000 registered families—about one million residents—access affordable, quality food.

At the same time, Brazil is experiencing sharp inflation in basic food items. Bean prices rose 52.8% in the first half of the year, pushing the average cost of a street‑served meal (the "prato feito") up 7.2% to R$ 31.90. The surge is linked to higher diesel fuel costs, rising logistics expenses, and increased energy and rent charges for restaurants. Regional price differences persist, with the South averaging R$ 34.90 per meal and the Northeast around R$ 30.00.