MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Basic food basket below consumer prices.

The price of the basic food basket consumed by an Argentine family increased 2,45% during 2004 according to the latest data from the Argentine Statistics and Census Office.

The money value of the basic food basket for a family of two adults and two children was calculated in the equivalent of 112 US dollars. The basic food basket is used to determine the poverty line, which according to the same statistics experienced a slight increase of 3,39% compared to December 2003.

In the basket are included products which add to the minimum calories input of an adult.

The latest Argentine official statistics dating back to the first half of last year indicate that 44,3% of the Argentine population of 36,2 million subsist below the poverty line. In spite of the shocking numbers, it's an improvement from the 52% when the 2001/2002 financial crack and melting of the country's economy.

Anyhow the price increase of the basic food basket in the twelve months of 2004 was below the 6,1% jump in the retail prices index.