Procon surveys show big price swings for fruits and fuels in Brazil

Consumer protection agencies in Brazil released several price surveys that revealed sharp variations across products. A Procon‑JP study of 78 items in João Pessoa’s markets found the price of laranja Bahia jumping 401% (R$ 2.99‑14.99 per kilo) and a R$ 34 difference for alho‑poró (R$ 15.99‑49.99 per kilo). Other fruits showed up to 300% swings, such as maxixe and chuchu.

Separate fuel surveys showed more modest changes. In João Pessoa, gasoline prices remained stable at 83 stations, with the cheapest at R$ 6.19 and the most expensive at R$ 6.90, while ethanol rose R$ 0.30 per litre. In Campina Grande, gasoline averaged R$ 6.59 per litre, a spread of R$ 1.14 across stations. Maringá’s average gasoline price held at R$ 6.92, a 12.92% variation among 82 stations. An ANP snapshot of Bahia showed gasoline ranging from R$ 6.38 to R$ 7.84, a R$ 1.46 difference between the cheapest and most expensive cities.

These data illustrate the volatility consumers face for both fresh produce and automotive fuels across different Brazilian regions.