The prices of 14 of the 41 products that made up the essential food basket have already risen by more than 6% since the Zero VAT measure ended on Thursday, according to a balance released today by Deco Proteste.
According to the analysis of the consumer protection organization, from the last day of VAT Zero, January 4th, until Monday, the prices that grew the most were those of liquid yogurt, cooking oil and tuna in olive oil.
«Between the 4th and 8th of January, the average increase of the 41 products was 5,29%, totaling 7,51 euros and increasing the average cost of the basket from 141,97 euros to 149,48 euros, respectively», details .
With the end of the VAT exemption, products were once again taxed with VAT at 6%, except for cooking oil, which went to a rate of 13%, compared to the previous rate of 23%.
In what is the first assessment of the end of VAT Zero in the essential basket, Deco Proteste found that «retailers increased prices below 6% on more than 21 products, which means that there may have been an attempt to mitigate the immediate impact of the reintroduction of VAT through promotions on products covered by the exemption».
«This practice may have contributed to minimizing the initial impact felt by consumers», considers the association's communications director Rita Rodrigues, cited in a statement.
However, the official points out that “it is still possible that, especially on the first day of the reintroduction of VAT, there was some delay in updating the posted prices”.
Intended to offset the effects of rising inflation, the Zero VAT measure was in force between April 18, 2023 and January 04, 2024 and covered 41 essential products for consumers, exempting them from the VAT rate.
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