In at least 7 states, markets face supply problems, says Abras

In at least 7 Brazilian states, plus the Federal District, about 70% of stores and supermarkets are already having their supply affected due to road blocks that occur in the country.

The information was disclosed by the vice president of the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (Abras), Marcio Milan, during a press conference this Tuesday (1st). The data was collected across Brazil, Abras said.

According to the spokesperson, the stores that are being affected are mainly located in the states of Santa Catarina (SC), Mato Grosso (MT), Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Minas Gerais (MG), Pará (PA) , Rio de Janeiro (RJ), São Paulo (SP) and Federal District (DF).

“We identified that, on average, in these most affected regions, more than 70% of stores already have supply problems. Usually, on the weekend, they are the two biggest days of consumption where families go to the supermarket exactly to shop. So, normally, Monday and Tuesday are days when supermarkets end up replacing products. And it was exactly at that moment when the stoppages started,” said Milan.

On the areas within supermarkets that are being most affected by supply are: Fruits, Vegetables and Vegetables; Butcher (meat, poultry and fish); Cold cuts and Dairy products; Grocery store; and Bakery and Bakery.

In addition, Abras also identified in its survey that the flow of consumers in supermarkets has already intensified.

“The movement of consumers intensified in supermarkets in general. There is concern on the part of the consumer that the stoppage may last longer and harm supply”, said the vice president of the association.

He also warned that, in the next 2 or 3 days, some of the most affected regions may run out of supplies if the blockades persist: “When we look at the South, Southeast, Midwest regions… , Federal District, Campo Grande, Cuiabá, Florianópolis, Blumenau, among others. Some of the categories I mentioned may be out of stock in the next 2 or 3 days”.

Finally, Milan highlighted that the biggest concern is with the perishable food that is in the trucks and can be lost due to the delay in transport to the final destination.

The blockades began on Sunday (31), promoted by supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) who question the results of the elections. The Federal Highway Police (PRF) cleared 306 demonstration points until Tuesday afternoon.