Wholesale Inflation Decreases for Third Month in a Row, While Basic Domestic Price Index Shows Increase

In March, the Domestic Wholesale Price Index (IPIM) recorded a 5.4% decrease compared to February, marking its third month of slowdown. This was below the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 11% recorded by Indec last month, providing support for the Government’s claim that inflation will be in single digits in April.

The IPIM measures the average evolution of the prices of products of national and imported origin offered in the domestic market. The general level of the IPIM advanced as a result of a 6.2% rise in national products, partially offset by a 1.7% decrease in imported products. This decrease in imported products is a key sign for the decrease in the cost of living.

The interannual variation was 330.6%, indicating that prices have been volatile over time. Wholesale inflation marked its third consecutive month of deceleration, after reaching 10.2% in February and 18% in January, following the peak of 54% in December. The first quarter closed with an increase of 37%.

Similarly, the Basic Domestic Price Index (IPIB) showed an increase of 4.9% in the same period, with an explanation of the variation in domestic and imported products. The general level of the IPP recorded a 5% increase last month, with a rise in primary products and manufactured products. The tax treatment is the same as in the IPIB, and PPI measures the average variation of prices received by local producers.