The Extended Consumer Price Index-15 (IPCA-15) changed by 0.17% in April, a figure lower than in March (0.37%). The resulting rate accumulated in the last 12 months was 4.89%. In the first four months of the year, it was 1.58%.

A group of important consumer items caused the decline of the index from one month to the other. Gasoline was included in this group. After the rise of 2.17% observed in the IPCA-15 of March, the rate relative to this item in April was 0.65%. The price of gasoline reflected the reduction of alcohol in its composition (from 25% to 20%) and the rise of alcohol as well. The sequence of high prices of fuel alcohol was maintained and there was rise of 6.73%. It was the major individual contribution to the monthly index: 0.09 percentage point. Even so, alcohol faced decrease in its growth rate in relation to the previous month (when it reached 7.69%).

In terms of food products, the fall was more pronounced: from -0.08% in March to -0.49% in April. The crisis of the poultry sector contributed to the decline of the price of chicken and the consumer started paying 11.43% less for its kilogram. Fruits (-8.54%), black beans (-3.32%), rice (-2.32%), eggs (-1.85%) and meats (-1.15%) also became cheaper. Despite its significant rise, “carioca” beans (10.37%) was below the March figure, when it reached 16.69%. Sugar had a similar behavior – refined sugar went from 9.04% to 2.82%, whereas crystallized sugar, from 7.48% to 4.06%.

Considering the decrease of IPCA-15 from March to April, there are also the following highlights: the absence of readjustments of urban bus fares (0.00%), the fall of airplane tickets (-3.66%) and TV, sound and computer equipment (-1.29%).

Belo Horizonte had the highest index by area (0.56%); in this city, sewage and water treatment rose by 5.51%. Besides, both gasoline (2.07%) and alcohol (9.21%) rose above the average of the remaining areas. The lowest figures were those of Curitiba (-0.17%) and Goiânia (-0.18%).

The prices for the calculation of the IPCA-15 were collected between March 15 and April 11 and compared to those in effect between February 11 and March 14. IPCA -15 refers to families with monetary income, from whatever source, ranging from 1 to 40 minimum salaries, and it encompasses the metropolitan areas of Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte, Recife, São Paulo, Belém, Fortaleza, Salvador and Curitiba, besides Brasília and Goiânia.The same methodology is used to calculate both IPCA and IPCA-15. The difference between the two indexes lies in the period of data collection. The other index, IPCA-E, consists of IPCA-15 accumulated by quarter.