Guedes asks supermarkets to reduce profit to contain price hikes

The Minister of Economy, Paulo Guedes, said, this Thursday (9), that “now is the time to put a stop to this rise in prices”. According to the minister, at the moment, it is necessary to voluntarily stop the rise in prices “for the good of Brazil”.

The speech was made during the 2nd Forum of the National Supply Chain, promoted by the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (Abras). Guedes asked the Brazilian business community to help break the inflationary chain.

“Let’s give a truce in prices, let’s trust Brazil a little, let’s tighten our belts a little”, Guedes requested to representatives of the supermarket sector, advocating that the food price table of the basic basket be readjusted by entrepreneurs only in 2023 .

Commenting on the measures to cut federal and state taxes on fuel, Guedes said that the federal government transferred almost half a trillion reais to entities during the pandemic and that it is time for governors to make a contribution to the country.

“Can’t they help Brazil a little? Of the R$180 billion in cash they have today, can’t they advance a third to the population?”, she said. “It is the first time that the States are going to put their hand in their pocket, so far they have only received it.”

In addition to Guedes, President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) was present at the event and asked the supply sector to “collaborate a little more”, also advocating that the sector reduce the profit margin on basic basket products.

“So the appeal I make to you, for the entire production chain, is for the products of the basic basket, each one, to obtain the lowest possible profit”, he said, adding that he knew that the profit margin has already been decreasing, but asking to be further reduced.

*With information from Reuters