Mato Grosso do Sul cities face soaring basic food basket prices

The municipal consumer protection agency in Dourados surveyed 12 supermarkets between 4 – 8 May, comparing prices of 29 staple items. The study found extreme price gaps, with toilet paper showing a 369 % difference, laundry detergent 315 %, potatoes 289 % and toothpaste 279 %. Fifteen products varied by more than 100 % across stores, and the overall cost of the cheapest basket was 36.45 % lower than the most expensive one.

In the state capital, Campo Grande, data from the Dieese showed that the basic food basket now represents 55.15 % of the liquid minimum wage, up 2.60 % from the previous month to R$ 826.89. Prices rose sharply for potatoes (+19.57 %), tomatoes (+11.89 %) and whole‑milk (+8.78 %). Over the past year, beans rose 34.5 %, while some items fell, such as rice (‑27.69 %). Inflation drivers include reduced supply of key crops and higher fuel costs, affecting both cities’ consumers.