ANÁLISE DO CUSTO DA CESTA BÁSICA DE ALIMENTOS E PODER DE COMPRA EM NOVA ANDRADINA-MS

Abstract

This study analyzed the variation in the cost of the basic food basket in Nova Andradina-MS, between March and August 2025, and its relationship with the purchasing power of the minimum wage. The research, of a quantitative and descriptive nature, applied the DIEESE methodology adapted to the local context, with weekly price collection in supermarkets of the municipality. The results showed strong volatility in fresh products such as potatoes and tomatoes, influenced by climatic and seasonal factors, and significant increases in industrialized goods, such as coffee and soybean oil, affected by the production chain and the international market. It was found that the cost of the basic food basket consumes a large portion of workers’ income, making the minimum wage insufficient to meet the basic needs established by the Brazilian Constitution. It is concluded that the gap between income and living costs reinforces social inequalities and highlights the importance of public policies to strengthen family farming, encourage direct commercialization, and ensure continuous price monitoring.