Food inflation impacts consumer spending in Brazil and Portugal

Rising food prices continue to impact consumer purchasing power in Brazil and Portugal, necessitating strategic household planning to maintain nutritional quality.

In Brazil, IBGE data indicates the IPCA rose 0.16% in June 2026, with a 12-month increase of 4.64%. Experts suggest mitigating costs by substituting expensive proteins with eggs, chicken, or legumes, prioritizing seasonal produce, and reducing reliance on ultra-processed foods through home cooking and better meal planning.

In Portugal, recent data from DECO PROteste shows a slight weekly decrease in the cost of an essential 63-item food basket, which now stands at 252.07 euros. However, this represents a 4.23% increase compared to the start of 2026. Long-term trends show a significant rise in costs; since January 2022, the basket has increased by 34.29%, with certain items like beef and cod seeing much higher cumulative price hikes.