The COVID-19 pandemic in a Brazilian metropolis: repercussion on food prices

Abstract

We analyzed the impact of the efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic on the prices of food sold by a food supply center located in the sixth largest city in Brazil. We examined the percentage change in the prices of 20 types of foods, adjusted by market conditions, using municipal contingency plan stages to compare opening and closing of non-essential services, including bars and restaurants (stage 1: first phase of essential services-only; stage 2: flexibilization; and stage 3: second phase of essential services-only with a “pre-pandemic” period [stage 0]). Log-prices were lower in all contingency stages for leafy greens (variation: 42% to 56%) and vegetables (variation: 28% to 40%). Log-prices of eggs and fruit were 20% and 16% lower during stages 1 and 3, respectively. Strategies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic lowered the prices of eggs, fruit, leafy greens, and vegetables regardless of the market conditions. Accordingly, the supply and demand for fresh and minimally processed foods were affected by the economic crisis and difficulties to access and/or buy perishable foods more often. The impacts of efforts to defeat the pandemic must ensure the human right to adequate food, considering that low prices do not necessarily indicate food security.

Brumadinho Health Project: food and nutrition insecurity versus socioeconomic statuses and dimensions of the food system after the dam rupture

“…Access to food and FI has also been investigated at critical moments in the country, such as the 2014-2015 economic crisis 19 and, more recently, during the truck drivers' strike 20 and the COVID-19 pandemic with the closure of commercial establishments 21 . Researchers found that the Brazilian economic crisis of 2014-2015 was associated with a sharp increase in the prevalence of FI in the state of Alagoas 19 .…”

“…Conversely, the truck drivers' strike was associated with a reduction in the availability and variety of food and an increase in the prices of fruit and vegetables 20 . Strategies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic related to the closing of commercial establishments, in turn, may have reduced the demand for fresh food 21 .…”

Projeto Saúde Brumadinho: insegurança alimentar e nutricional versus condições socioeconômicas e dimensões do sistema alimentar após desastre

“…O acesso a alimentos e à IA também tem sido investigado em momentos críticos do país, como na crise econômica de 2014-2015 19 e, mais recentemente, durante a greve dos caminhoneiros 20 e na pandemia da COVID-19 com o fechamento dos estabelecimentos comerciais 21 . Verificou--se que a crise econômica brasileira de 2014-2015 se associou ao aumento acentuado na prevalência de IA no estado de Alagoas 19 .…”

“…Já a greve dos caminhoneiros foi associada à redução da disponibilidade e variedade de alimentos e ao aumento dos preços dos hortifrutigranjeiros 20 . As estratégias de combate à pandemia de COVID-19 relacionadas ao fechamento dos estabelecimentos comerciais, por sua vez, podem ter reduzido a demanda por alimentos in natura 21 .…”