Staple food prices up over 20% in Brazil in 2008

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 7 (Chinese media) -- The price of staple foods jumped more

than 20 percent in nine Brazilian state capitals last year, according to a study

released Wednesday.

The study by the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic

Studies (Dieese) said the largest price increase was in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba

state, where costs rose 29.3 percent in 2008.

In Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state, in the northeastern region, prices

increased 26.7 percent in 2008. In Florianopolis, southern Santa Catarina state,

prices increased 25.2 percent, while in Fortaleza, Ceara state, prices were up

24.6 percent.

The lowest increases were in Belem, Para state, in the northern region,

where prices were up 4.7 percent.

Food prices in December increased in all 17 state capitals evaluated by the

Dieese. Joao Pessoa registered the highest increase at 14.7 percent.

Tomato prices went up 167 percent in Joao Pessoa. According to the Dieese,

expensive fertilizers and heavy rains attributed to the excessive increases.

The price of beans fell in all 17 cities.