Brazil’s president tells country not to buy expensive groceries as food prices rise

Brazil’s President Urges Citizens to Combat Soaring Food Prices

Brazil’s leftist president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, recently made a plea to the country’s citizens to be mindful of their grocery purchases in light of rising food prices. In a video that has been circulating online, da Silva urged Brazilians to refrain from buying expensive grocery items in an effort to push sellers to lower their prices.

“If you go to the supermarket in Salvador and you suspect that a certain product is expensive, don’t buy it,” da Silva advised. “Look, if everyone thought like that and didn’t buy things they thought were expensive, whoever is selling is going to have to lower the price in order to sell it. Because if they don’t, it’s going to spoil.”

Despite expressing concern over the increasing food prices, da Silva remained optimistic about the economy, stating that Brazil is currently experiencing its best economic moment. He acknowledged that the Brazilian real is still weak against the U.S. dollar but believes that the exchange rate is gradually adjusting.

Brazil’s Finance Minister, Fernando Haddad, echoed da Silva’s sentiments by predicting a decline in food prices this year due to strong agricultural production. Haddad emphasized that prices tend to remain high until food production corrects the price distortion to a more reasonable level. Additionally, officials anticipate a slower economic growth rate of 2.5% in 2025, down from an expected 3.5% in the previous year.

In conclusion, da Silva and Haddad’s reassurances reflect the government’s efforts to address the challenges posed by soaring food prices and ensure economic stability for Brazil. By encouraging citizens to be mindful consumers and supporting agricultural production, the government aims to mitigate the impact of rising food costs on the population.