Chaco economic trends show declining gasoline sales and rising inflation

Economic indicators in the Chaco province of Argentina show diverging trends in consumption and rising costs. In the fuel sector, Oscar Gaona, president of the Chamber of Fuel Sellers, reported a sustained decline in gasoline sales. This drop is attributed to the current economic situation and a shift toward hybrid and low-consumption vehicles. Conversely, diesel sales have seen moderate growth, driven by activity in the agricultural, industrial, and logistics sectors.

In the retail sector, Miguel Simons of the Chaco Chamber of Supermarket Owners stated that real inflation in the province is higher than official national figures. While some price increases appear small or occur through the removal of previous discounts on staples like flour, oil, and sugar, Simons noted that input costs have recently risen between 2% and 5%. He highlighted that businesses are attempting to recover profitability due to poor margins, leading to a postponement of investments and maintenance. Consequently, consumer behavior has shifted toward purchasing only essential goods.