Holy Week: variation in the price of cod can reach 325% in Greater BH

Holy Week: variation in the price of cod can reach 325% in Greater BH – State of Minas

The variation in seafood and fish prices in Belo Horizonte can reach up to 325% during this Holy Week holiday. This is what a survey carried out by Mercado Mineiro shows, in the main stores of Mercado Central, in the center of the capital, and fishmongers in Greater BH, and published this Thursday (28/3). The survey was carried out between March 24th and 26th, 2024.

According to the research, the average price of Saith Cod can vary from R$39.90 to R$169.80, depending on the establishment. The average price of Cod from Porto Imperial is between R$147.90 and R$299. Shrimp can vary according to species and size. According to the survey, the large Sete Barbas can cost from R$31.90 to R$76.90; and the medium Pink – already clean, can be found from R$75.00 to R$109.00, a variation of 45%.

The price of fresh fish, cut or fillet, also had significant variations. Depending on the location, Cascudo can vary from R$14.95 to R$35 (134%); Merluza fillet can be found from R$26.90 to R$45; Surubim fillet from R$32.99 to R$88. Check the end of the article for the complete list of products and how much they can be found in BH and the metropolitan region.

In addition to the variation shown between the selected establishments, the average price of seafood has increased since the beginning of February, a period close to the beginning of Lent, when a large number of Christians stop eating red meat and start giving preference to fish. In relation to the value of cod, an input highly sought after for Easter, it grew by an average of 13.39 percentage points, compared to the beginning of the period analyzed.

According to the survey, the average price of cod from Porto Cod rose 21%, going from R$171.58 to R$207.77. Cod from Porto Imperial went from R$1883.31 to R$191.44, with an appreciation of 8.8%. The value of Saith Cod rose from R$73.50 to R$81.12, which represents an increase of 10.37%.

A kilo of Mullet rose from R$26.40 to R$29.40, an increase of 11%. The kilo of salmon had a small increase, of 2.22%, going from R$95.30 to R$97.41. Regarding the price of eggs, there was a drop in price compared to the beginning of February. A dozen red eggs fell 5%, from R$12.29 to R$11.66. A dozen white eggs fell from R$11.05 to R$10.03, a reduction of 9%.

Fall between years

Despite the increase in the price of fish during Lent, when there is a greater demand for the input, when compared to the values practiced by the market in 2023, a drop was recorded. A survey carried out by the Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas Administrativas e Contábeis de Minas Gerais (Ipead), from UFMG, shows that a kilo of cod dropped 8.12% in BH, costing an average of R$ 121.50.

Diogo Santos, economist at the institute, explains that reducing fish prices is not common at this time of year, due to high demand. However, it can be explained by the appreciation of the real compared to the dollar. “As cod is basically an imported product, when the dollar becomes cheaper, the import price drops and it reaches the end consumer cheaper.”

Check the price variation of fish in BH and the metropolitan region: