Argentina is set to release its January 2026 inflation data, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC) being the main focus. This announcement comes amidst the recent resignation of INDEC's head, Marco Lavagna, and controversy over the postponement of a new inflation measurement methodology. Analysts project monthly inflation at around 2.5%, indicating a slight slowdown from December's 2.8%. Senior economist Gonzalo Carrera attributes this to reduced pressure on non-seasonal food prices, a drop in regulated prices after December's hikes, and a stable dollar exchange rate. However, annual inflation is estimated to be around 32%, far above the target. Different consulting firms provide varying estimates: EcoGo reported a 2.5% rise in food and beverage prices, driven by vegetables, while Equilibra noted a 2.2% overall increase, with significant hikes in restaurants and hotels. Buenos Aires, which has already adopted the new methodology, reported a 3.1% monthly CPI increase, highlighting methodological differences between national and city-level calculations. The market and analysts will closely watch the official INDEC data, as it will impact economic expectations and clarify the future of inflation measurement in the country.
