By Andrea Hargraves 
inflation in Portugal slowed in March to 7.4%According to the rapid estimate of the National Statistical Institute. Jose Gomez Ferreira stresses that this slowdown does not represent a drop in prices, especially in unprocessed food items.
“In March, prices were 7.4% higher than in March last year, when unprocessed food products were 19.3% higher,” says the journalist. He continues: “The proof that prices are not falling – they are rising and rising unjustifiably a lot – is that prices in March of this year compared to February of this year increased by a total of 1.73%.”
For a journalist, the explanation for higher prices is linked to suppliers’ interest in getting “more profit”.
“Continuing at this pace, in about 15 days, the basis on which the VAT reduction will be applied will be much higher. People will feel almost nothing, on the contrary. They will still feel the higher price,” he warns.
José Gomez Ferreira also stresses that he does not understand why diesel and petrol prices do not follow the decline in energy costs. Referring to the change in fuel forecasts for next Monday, he called on the authorities to intensify inspections.