Mexico anti-inflation subsidies include $28 bln price ticket

A vendor chats with a buyer at a stall in an outside market in Mexico Metropolis, Mexico January 23, 2022. REUTERS/Luis Cortes/File Picture

MEXICO CITY, Aug 2 (Reuters) – Subsidies from the Mexican authorities to fight rising inflation within the nation have value some 575 billion pesos ($28.04 billion) this yr, officers mentioned on Tuesday, including that these have helped ease the ache of atypical individuals.

The vast majority of that cash, totaling 430 billion pesos, has gone to subsidizing gasoline costs, officers mentioned, talking alongside Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador at his common information convention.

One other 73 billion pesos went towards home power subsidies, which the federal government elevated after the battle in Ukraine drove up costs on the world market.

The officers mentioned some 69 billion pesos went to “meals safety,” partially because of a Might plan to spice up manufacturing of primary foodstuffs similar to corn, rice and beans, and preserve costs on items similar to white bread. learn extra

Regardless of the measures, inflation has reached 8.16% within the first half of July, official numbers confirmed.

It has fueled hypothesis the nation’s central financial institution, generally known as Banxico, will once more hike rates of interest. Analysts forecast that inflation will attain 9.5% by the tip of the yr. learn extra

However officers on Tuesday argued that inflation would have been 2.6 share factors greater with out the measures.

“That’s the reason, amongst different causes, inflation in Mexico is decrease than what it’s in different international locations,” mentioned Finance Minister Rogelio Ramirez de la O, calling the outcomes “good.”

Ramirez de la O reiterated that the federal government wouldn’t let power costs rise, and would work to extend imports of primary items whereas limiting white corn exports.

Mexico may also proceed talks with the US to buy milk and fertilizer, he added.

($1 = 20.5040 Mexican pesos)

Reporting by Ana Isabel Martinez; Writing by Kylie Madry; Enhancing by Sandra Maler

Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Belief Ideas.