The price of bread is expected to rise again in 2023, due to the increase in the cost of raw materials and energy, but also due to the update of the national minimum wage, ACIP told Lusa.
“Much will depend on the variation in the prices of raw materials and energy, but it is very likely to increase, also due to the impact of the increase in the minimum wage,” predicted the direction of the Association of Trade and Bakery Industry (ACIP). ), in response to the Portuguese.
According to the association, only part of the increases is reflected in the price paid by consumers, the rest is borne by producers who in turn see their profit margins fall.
Between January and October there was an increase in the consumption of bread and pastries in Portugal, driven by tourism.
However, especially in the last quarter of the year, this positive evolution was punished by inflation.
So consumers started choosing cheaper, smaller products and also in a smaller quantity.
“The customer is looking for cheaper bread. He continues to buy confectionery products, but the consumption of this type of product is decreasing,” underlines the ACIP.
Although the numbers are not rising, the association estimates that orders for the Christmas period will be lower than last year.
In October, as part of the medium-term agreement to improve incomes, the government tabled a proposal to increase the minimum wage from the current €705 to €760 in January 2023.
The executive proposes to allow the minimum wage to evolve to 760 euros in 2023, to 810 euros in 2024, to 855 euros in 2025 and to 900 euros in 2026.
Source: DN
