“We are genuinely very satisfied,” declared President Javier Milei of Argentina on local radio, after inflation in February fell by more than expected, to 13%. That, however, is the monthly figure. Over the past year it has amounted to 276%—the highest in the world. Inflation of just 8% annually has rattled politics in richer countries.
The latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) report on Argentina highlighted that the targets for reserve accumulation, fiscal deficit, and monetary financing of the deficit were missed “by wide margins.” As a result, imbalances have increased, so “further expenditure control will be needed throughout the election period.” The 1.9% GDP fiscal deficit target remained unchanged.
Argentine Economy Minister and presidential hopeful Sergio Massa Friday announced an agreement with most leading supermarket chains and wholesalers for 90 days, during which prices will remain frozen in principle for some 52,300 mass consumption products and increases will be capped at 5% per month, it was reported in Buenos Aires.
Argentina's Cabinet Chief Agustín Rossi admitted the administration of President Alberto Fernández was losing the battle with inflation. “We thought we were getting there, but we weren't,” Rossi was quoted as saying by local media. “Nobody can be happy, least of all us”, he added.
Inflation in Argentina reached 6% in January of 2023, according to a report from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (Indec) released Tuesday, which also showed the interannual consumer price index went up 98.8%. It was the highest monthly rate since 1991 when it reached 84%.
Argentina's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.9% in November for an accumulated 85.3% in the first eleven months of the year, according to a report released Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (Indec).
The basic food basket, CBA, in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego province, Argentina soared 9,5% during October while the overall food basket, CBT, 9%, according to the latest figures from Indec, the country's stats office. This is 50% higher than the inflation rate for the month of October which stood at 6,3%.
Argentina's state-run oil company increased the price of fuel at pumps by 7.5% on average Sunday but it remained well below figures in neighboring cities abroad. The accumulated devaluation since the last naphtha adjustment is 16%.
Argentine unionist groups and social organizations took over the streets of Buenos Aires Wednesday causing traffic jams during office hours as they protested against rising inflation and unemployment and the deterioration of living conditions in general under the administration of President Alberto Fernández.
Foreign Analysts do not see a bright future ahead for Argentina's economy. While some place it among the countries most likely to default its debt, others fear it might not survive a new adjustment to the basic interest rates by the United States.