The Extended National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) of May was 0.47%, being very close to the 0.48% reached in April. Considering this May result, the index accumulated in the year is 2.20%, lower than the 2.88% relative to the same period of 2008. In relation to the last twelve months, the result was 5.20%, also below the figure relative to the immediately previous month (5.53%). In May 2008, the index was 0.79%.  

In spite of the rise of Food products and beverages, which changed from 0.15%, in April, to 0.44%, other groups faced deceleration from one month to the other and affected IPCA in May. See the results by group below:

The rise of food products (0.44%) was mainly caused by pasteurized milk, which, in the period between harvests became 9.77% more expensive and accounted for the major individual contribution to IPCA in May, with 0.10 percentage points. There was rise of prices of milk and its derivatives, for example, cheese (1.39%), condensed milk (1.12%) and powdered milk (1.10%). Also from April to May, fall of prices was observed for the following items: potatoes (14.77%), carrots (5.64%) and tomatoes (2.32%).

In the group of non-food products, the rate changed from 0.58%, in April, to 0.48% in May. The group of personal expenses, which changed from 2.14% to 1.57%, remained having the item cigarettes as a highlight. Even having less significant rise than in the previous year, cigarettes (from 14.71%, in April, to 9.21% in Mayo) accounted for the second main individual contribution to IPCA in May, with 0.09 percentage points. This result reflects, mainly, the significant readjustment which occurred on April 10, as a consequence of the rise of IPI and PIS/COFINS. The item domestic worker changed from 1.83% to 1.35%, with less significant rise also.  

The group Health and personal care changed from 1.10%, in April to 0.68% in May. The result reflects the reduced change in the prices of medicines, which fell 2.89%, in April, to 1.33% in May. The rise observed in the last two months is a consequence of the readjustment (5.90%) of some medicine prices. 

Apparel changed by 1.16%, with a change rate above that of April (1.08%), reflecting the successful trade of the fall-winter collection. The rate of housing, 0.72%, was very close to the one in the previous month  (0.75%), being the main highlight water and sewage rates, which changed from 0.61% to 1.34%, whereas cooking gas changed from 2.41%, in April to 0.64% in May.

Among the areas, Goiânia (0.97%) was the highlight with the highest result in the month, mainly affected by urban buses (8.70%), reflecting the readjustment of 12.50% in fares from April 19 on. The lowest change was that of Curitiba (0.15%).The table below shows monthly results by area surveyed.

To calculate the monthly index, prices collected from April 29 to May 29 (reference) were compared to those charged between March 28 and April 28 (base).IPCA has been calculated by IBGE since 1980. It refers to families with monthly income ranging from one to forty minimum wages, from whatever source. IPCA encompasses nine metropolitan areas in the country, besides the municipality of Goiânia, and Brasília.

INPC was 0.60% in May

The National Consumer Price Index - INPC changed by 0.60% in May, being close to the result of 0.55% obtained in April. In the year, INPC was 2.32%, below the figure relative to the same period in the previous year (3.32%). Considering the last twelve months, with 5.45%, the result was below the rate of the immediately previous twelve months (5.83%). In May 2008, INPC was 0.96%. 

Among the areas, Goiânia (1.50%) was the highlight in terms of monthly results, having been mainly affected by the rate of urban buses (8.70%) which reflected the readjustment of 12.50% of fares from April 19the on. The lowest rate came from Belém (0.00%).

The table below presents the indexes by area surveyed. 

To calculate the monthly index, prices collected from April 29 to May 29 (reference) were compared to those charged between March 28 and April 28 (base).INPC has been calculated by IBGE since 1979. It refers to families with monthly income ranging from one to six minimum wages, with a salaried head of household. IPNC encompasses nine metropolitan areas in the country, besides the municipality of Goiânia, and Brasília.