The Extended National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) of March was 0.56%, being 0.75 percentage points (p.p.) below the February rate (1.31%). This is the highest IPCA in a month of March since 2023 (0.71%). In the year, the cumulative IPCA is 2.04% and, in the last twelve months, the index stood at 5.48%, above the 5.06% of the immediately previous months. In March 2024, the change was 0.16%.

All the nine groups of products and services surveyed recorded a positive change from February to March, ranging between 0.10% (Education) and 1.17% (Food and beverages), responsible for the biggest impact (0.25 p.p.) on the monthly index, accounting for 45% of the IPCA in March.

Food and beverages accelerated from 0.70% in February to 1.17% in March, with food at home registering 1.31%. The result was influencec by the rise of tomato (22.55%), hen eggs (13.13%) and ground coffee (8.14%). From the perspective of decreases, soybean oil (1.99%), rice (1.81%) and beef (1.60%) stood out. 

Food away from home (0,77%) also accelerated from February (0.47%), with the subitems meals (0.86%) and cup of coffee (3.48%) showing changes above the ones observed in the previous month (0.29% and 0.47%, respectively). Snacks (0.63%) decelerated from February (0.66%).

In Personal expenses (0.70%), the group accounting for the second biggest change in the month, the result was influenced by the subitem cinema, theater and concerts (7.76%), cconsidering tha the cinema week took place in February.

In Wearing apparel (0.59%), there was an increase in footwear and accessories (0.65%),women's apparel (0.55%), men's apparel (0,55%) and children's clothes (0.29%).

In the group Transportation (0.46%), the result was influenced by the rise of airfares (6.91%) and fuels (0.46%), which decelerated against February (2.89%). Gasolina changed 0.51% against the 2.78% of the previous month, diesel 0.33% against 4.35% and ethanol 0.16% against 3.62%. Only vehicle gas accelerated  from -0.52% in February to 0.23% in March.

Also in Transportation, the result of urban buses (-1.09%), besides encompassing the price adjustment of 4.17% in fares in Porto Alegre (0.21%), in effect since March 31, reflects the drops of 2.15% in Curitiba due to the 50% discout in fares on Sundays and holidays and in Brasília (-24.18%), where fares have been free, also on Sundays and holidays, since March 1st, in this case also covering subway fares (-1.68%).

There was also a rise in taxi fares (0.23%) due to price adjustments of 14.88% in Aracaju (9.46%), since March 11 and of 10.91% in Porto Alegre (0.32%), in effect since March 31.

In the group Health and personal care (0.43%), the biggest contributions came from Health insurance (0.57%) and Personal hygiene (0.51%).

The group Housing, which had an increase of 4.44% in February, changed 0.24% in March. Residential electricity, which represents the highest weight in the group, decelerated from 16.80% in the previous month to 0.12% in March. The change is formed, besides the adjustment of 1.37% in one of the concessionaires in Rio de Janeiro (-0.79%), in effect since March 15,by increases and decreases in Pis/Cofins shares of concessionaires.

As for regional indexes, the biggest change (0.76%) was found in Curitiba and Porto Alegre due to the rise of gasoline (1.84% and 2.43%, respectively). the lowest change occurred in Rio Branco (0.27%) after drops in airfares (16.01%) and, in Brasília (0.27%) with a decrease of 24.18% in urban buses.

The IPCA has been calculated by the IBGE since 1980. It refers to households with monthly income of 1 to 40 minimum wages, whatever the source. It encompasses ten metropolitan areas in Brazil, besides the municipalities of Goiânia, Campo Grande, Rio Branco, São Luís, Aracaju and Brasília.

In order to calculate the index of the month, the prices collected from February 27 to March 31, 2025 (reference) were compared with the prices in force from January 30 to February 26, 2025 (base).

INPC is 0.51% in March

The National Consumer Price Index (INPC) rose 0.51% in March. In the year, the cumulative index is 2.00% and, in the last 12 months, 5.20%, above the 4.87% observed in the 12 immediately previous months. In March 2024, the rate was 0.19%.

Food products accelerated from February (0.75%) to March (1.08%). The change of non-food products went from 1.72% in February to 0.32% in March.

As for regional indexes, the biggest change was found in Curitiba (0.79%), influencied by the rise of gasoline (1.84%). The lowest change occurred in Brasília (-0.33%), with a drop of 24.18% in urban buses.

The INPC has been calculated by the IBGE since 1979. It refers to households with monthly income of 1 to 5 minimum wages, with a salaried head of the household. It encompasses ten metropolitan areas in Brazil, besides the municipalities of Goiânia, Campo Grande, Rio Branco, São Luís, Aracaju and Brasília. 

In order to calculate the index of the month, the prices collected from February 27 to March 31, 2025 (reference) were compared with those in force from January 30 to February 26, 2025 (base).