According to recent data, in December services increased by 4.4%, while goods did so at a rate of 1.9%. A specialist pointed out that price drops were even recorded in some regions of the country. Among the measures announced by the Government is the elimination of taxes for the purchase of cars and motorcycles, aiming to curb the rise in prices.
Specialist Garay Méndez mentioned that sectors dependent on the exchange rate have shown relatively low monthly variations due to exposure to new imports and the elimination of subsidies. The decision to remove subsidies generates tension, especially in the services sector, where price regulation is expected to avoid significant increases.
Regarding the impact on inflation, the consulting firm LCG warned that exchange rate lag and the reduction in the rate of devaluation may limit the effectiveness of the long-term price-cutting strategy. The price lag dynamic could persist if the adjustment rate is not proportional to the current economic situation.
In December, household appliances were one of the categories with the lowest inflation, showing an increase of 0.9%. On the other hand, vehicles also recorded a lower variation, influenced by the tax removal announced by the Government. Despite these measures, goods continue to exert upward pressure on inflation more than services.
Analysts debate the immediate impact of these measures on December's inflation and note that the devaluation rate has a greater incidence on goods than on services. The reduction of the crawling peg could reflect in a lower price variation in goods, contributing to stabilizing inflation in the coming months.
