Basic food basket was 6.18% more expensive in Christmas in May 2025 Disclosure/Conab The basic food basket was 6.18% more expensive in Natal in May, according to a survey released this Thursday (11) by the Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies (Dieese), in partnership with the National Supply Company (Conab). The set of basic foods now costs R$710.79, compared to R$669.39 recorded in April. In 2026, the increase reaches 19.03%. Compared to May last year, the increase was 10.20%. As a result, Natal recorded the 7th highest monthly increase among the 27 capitals surveyed. 📳 Click here to follow the g1 RN channel on WhatsApp The biggest increase was observed in Recife (8.05%), followed by Florianópolis (7.81%) and Fortaleza (7.48%), Porto Alegre (7.24%), Maceió (6.68%), João Pessoa (6.22%), Curitiba (5.91%) and Aracaju (5.39%). Among the 12 products that make up the basic basket, six had a price increase in May: Products that rose the most According to Dieese, the increase in tomatoes occurred practically throughout the country due to the reduction in supply caused by the cold weather and problems with pests in some producing regions. In the case of beef, the rise in prices was influenced by strong external demand and a more restricted supply of animals ready for slaughter. Five items showed a drop in prices in Natal: Products that became cheaper Impact on the budget According to the survey, a Christmas worker paid the minimum wage needed to work 96 hours and 28 minutes to buy the basic food basket in May. In the previous month, 90 hours and 51 minutes were needed. Considering the net minimum wage, after the Social Security discount, the purchase of basic foods consumed 47.4% of the worker's income from Natal. In April, this percentage was 44.64%. Dieese also calculated that the minimum wage needed to support a family of four should have been R$7,999.44 in May, a value equivalent to 4.93 times the national minimum wage of R$1,621. Now on g1