After a (very) slight decrease in prices, the basket of 41 non-VAT foods monitored by DECO Propeste increased again last week. This Wednesday, it cost €1.46 (+1.12%) more than last week: rising from €129.84 to €131.30. Since the entry into force of the VAT exemption, the price of this basket of products has decreased by 7.47 euros (5.38% lower). Since the beginning of the year, the price has become €2.37 lower (-1.77%).

But not all products covered by this procedure are cheaper. Orange, for example, rose in price by €0.70 (+51%) between the day before the measure was implemented, April 17, and September 27. Broccoli increased by 0.40 euros, or 46% more.

Orange blossoms 17% and mass 16%. These are the products whose prices rose the most in the past week

Last week, between 20 and 27 September, the following products recorded the largest percentage increase in the zero VAT basket monitored by DECO PROTESTE: oranges (17%), spiral pasta (16%), packaged mature cheese slices (11%), frozen peas (10%), crustless bread (9%), extra virgin olive oil (7%), cod and lettuce (5%), horse mackerel (4%), zucchini (3%).

Apple and tuna party leads to declines last week

According to the Deco/Proteste analysis, the 10 products that saw the biggest price drops last week were Gala apples (8%), tuna in vegetable oil (7%), tuna in olive oil (5%), broccoli (4%), Onions (4%), imported bananas (4%), cooking oil (3%), golden apples (3%), needle rice (3%) and fresh hake (3%).

Recall that the exemption from VAT on more than 40 food products is the result of an agreement signed on March 27 between the government, food retail and agri-food production. This measure aims to mitigate the effects of rising food prices and is in effect until the end of this year, after it was extended by the government on September 7 (the measure was scheduled to expire on October 31).

The list of products on which VAT is free has now been determined based on recommendations from the General Directorate of Health. They include the foods most consumed by households in Portugal, according to information provided by the association representing food distribution companies.

The price of the “regular” basket has also increased: it costs 1.85 euros more
Prices of a basket of 63 commodities monitored by DECO PROTESTE, which fell by 27 cents last week, rose again this week. It now costs €217.87, plus €1.85 (+0.86%).

If we compare this value with the same period last year, the price of the basket increased by 7.44 euros (3.53% more).

Last week, the 10 products with the biggest increases were oranges (17%), spiralized pasta (16%), whole wheat, rice and oats (15%), aged cheese (11%), and frozen foods peas (15%) ). 10%, crustless bread (9%), extra virgin olive oil, seabass and fish fingers (7%), and cod (5%).

In the period between February 23, 2022, the eve of the start of the war in Ukraine, and September 27 of this year, the products that saw their prices rise the most were oranges (93%), extra virgin olive oil (91%), and tomato pulp. (73%), Carolino rice (72%), fresh hake (62%), onions (53%), white sugar (59%), red potatoes (50%), frankfurt sausage (47%) and Maria biscuits (41%) %). %).

Looking at product categories, the largest increases since the beginning of the war were recorded in groceries (28.59%, plus 12.05 euros) and meat (19.85%, plus 6.40 euros).