Comparative Analysis of Essential Product Prices in Six Countries: Revealing Surprising Divergences

2024-03-21 19:59:57
The analysis details how prices of essential products such as milk, meat, bread and more vary in six different countries, revealing surprising divergences.

Have you ever wondered how commodity prices vary in different countries? Curiosity about whether you would pay more or less for those items in other latitudes is common for many of us. Although consumer customs and cultural diversity may be different, there is a similarity in many products around the world.

Agustín Maza, a journalist from Infobae, immersed himself in this comparative exploration by analyzing the prices of a selection of 18 items in large supermarket chains in the United States, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Colombia and Peru. To ensure a fair comparison, brands with a presence in all the markets analyzed were chosen. However, in cases where there were no equivalents or local options were more relevant, priority was given to the national offer.

Although certain countries have lower prices in absolute terms, the relationship with minimum wages and average income reveals that the economic situation of citizens may be more complex than it seems.

The results revealed an interesting surprise, the cheapest basket of products was found in Peru, with a value of 43.56 dollars (S/ 161.43), showing a difference of 27.49% compared to the United States. However, with a monthly minimum wage of 277.8 dollars (equivalent to S/ 1,025), our country is positioned as the third with the lowest minimum wage in Latin America, only surpassed by Argentina and Venezuela. This means that, although products are cheaper in absolute terms, for Peruvians this savings does not necessarily translate into greater purchasing power.

In fact, this basket of products would represent almost 12% of the average income of a Peruvian worker. Thus, it is clear that the cheapest country in terms of basic products is not always the most economical for its citizens.

• US: $61.94 (S/229.55)
• Colombia: 54.55 dollars (S/ 202.16)
• Mexico: 53.78 dollars (S/ 199.31)
• Spain: 48.47 dollars (S/ 179.63)
• Argentina: 45.35 dollars (S/ 168.07)
• Peru: 43.56 dollars (S/ 161.43)

Milk (1 L)

A bottle of fresh milk highlighted among dairy products, a symbol of nutrition and an important source of calcium. Essential in the basic basket, it represents fundamental foods for a balanced diet. Keywords: milk bottle, dairy products, food, nutrition, basic basket, food, drink, calcium. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $2.83
• Argentina: 1.07 dollars
• Spain: 1 dollar
• Mexico: $1.30
• Colombia: $1.38
• Peru: 1.57 dollars

Loaf bread (500 g.)

A loaf of fresh and aromatic bread on the kitchen counter captures the essence of homemade bread. Ideal for breakfasts and snacks, this basic food, rich in nutrients and made with the best flours, symbolizes the warmth of home and the importance of a balanced diet. Keywords: bread dough, kitchen counter, breakfast, snack, baking, flour, food, food, nutrition, food, cooking, basic basket, price. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $1.98
• Argentina: $3.66
• Spain: $1.74
• Mexico: $3.02
• Colombia: $2.02
• Peru: $3.38

Minced meat (1 kg)

• United States: $11.84
• Argentina: $5.92
• Spain: $8.87
• Mexico: $6.46
• Colombia: $9.74
• Peru: $5.35

Oil (1 L.)

The importance of choosing foods to consume helps reduce health risks -credit Freepik

• United States: $2.80
• Argentina: $1.89
• Spain: $2.42
• Mexico: $3.52
• Colombia: $2.88
• Peru: $2.43

Fideos (500 g)

A package of noodles on the kitchen counter, representing a basic and versatile food in the daily diet. Pasta is essential for a balanced diet, offering nutrition and satisfaction at an affordable cost. Keywords: package of noodles, pasta, food, food, nutrition, food, cooking, basic basket, price, balanced diet. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $1.94
• Argentina: $1.11
• Spain: $1.47
• Mexico: $1.69
• Colombia: $2.00
• Peru: $1.39

Pollo (Kg.)

Raw chicken, an essential food in many households, faces rising prices due to inflation. Nutrition and health are affected as consumers grapple with rising costs. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $3.54
• Argentina: $1.87
• Spain: $5.33
• Mexico: $2.61
• Colombia: $3.95
• Peru: $3.02

Yogurt

• United States: $0.51
• Argentina: $0.40
• Spain: 0.27 dollars
• Mexico: $0.29
• Colombia: $0.55
• Peru: 0.43 dollars

Coffee (270g)

An open package of coffee next to beans scattered on the kitchen counter, capturing the aroma and essence of one of life’s simplest pleasures. Perfect to start the day or for an energizing snack, coffee is a key food in the basic basket, offering flavor and nutrition at an affordable price. Keywords: coffee package, coffee beans, kitchen counter, breakfast, snack, food, food, nutrition, food, kitchen, basic basket, price. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $4.92
• Argentina: $3.29
• Spain: $1.99
• Mexico: $9.68
• Colombia: $6.31
• Peru: $3.48

Meat (1 kg)

A bag of flour on the kitchen counter highlights its essential role in daily nutrition. Crucial to a variety of recipes, this culinary staple symbolizes nutrition and economy in modern cooking. Keywords: bag of flour, kitchen counter, food, food, nutrition, food, kitchen, basic basket, price, recipes. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $2.12
• Argentina: $1.08
• Spain: $0.76
• Mexico: $1.24
• Colombia: $1.12
• Peru: $1.94

Toilet paper (6 units)

Papelera Reyes must rectify itself and immediately cease the advertising campaign that promoted misleading information about the length of its products. (Freepik)

• United States: $5.77
• Argentina: $3.90
• Spain: $4.57
• Mexico: $5.88
• Colombia: $2.97
• Peru: $2.17

Rice (1kg)

Package of white rice resting on a kitchen counter, illustrating its role as a fundamental food in the daily diet. This basic ingredient is key to a balanced diet, offering essential nutrition at a price accessible to everyone. Keywords: rice package, white rice, food, food, nutrition, food, cooking, basic basket, price, daily diet. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $1.87
• Argentina: $3.79
• Spain: $1.39
• Mexico: $1.24
• Colombia: $1.61
• Peru: $1.51

Eggs (x6)

Basket of fresh eggs, highlighting their importance as a source of protein and an essential element in food. Perfect for any kitchen, these poultry products are a mainstay of the basic basket, offering nutrition at an affordable price. Keywords: egg basket, poultry products, protein, food, food, nutrition, food, cooking, basic basket, price. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $1.60
• Argentina: $0.96
• Spain: $2.18
• Mexico: $1.42
• Colombia: $1.28
• Peru: 1.53 dollars

Sugar (1kg)

White and brown sugar (Shutterstock)

• United States: $1.79
• Argentina: $0.98
• Spain: $1.59
• Mexico: $3.20
• Colombia: $1.50
• Peru: $1.40

Sal (1 kg)

Illustrative Image Infobae

• United States: $1.98
• Argentina: 1.26 dollars
• Spain: $0.38
• Mexico: $1.60
• Colombia: $0.60
• Peru: $0.59

Tomate (1 kg)

A bowl full of fresh tomatoes sits on the kitchen counter, symbolizing the importance of including fruits and vegetables in our diet. These vegetables, essential for a balanced diet, stand out for their nutritional contribution and their accessibility in the basic basket. Keywords: bowl, fresh tomatoes, kitchen counter, fruits, vegetables, vegetables, food, food, nutrition, food, kitchen, basic basket, price. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $5.47
• Argentina: 1.66 dollars
• Spain: $2.13
• Mexico: $2.07
• Colombia: $1.66
• Peru: $0.84

Bath soap

Bar of soap located in the bathroom, a key element for daily washing. It represents the importance of personal hygiene and skin care, being an essential part of basic household products. It reflects the accessibility and variety of prices available. Keywords: soap, bath, washing, bathing, basic products, personal hygiene, prices, skin care, daily hygiene, accessibility. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $1.37
• Argentina: $1.16
• Spain: $0.97
• Mexico: $1.50
• Colombia: $1.48
• Peru: 1.22 dollars

Shampoo

A bottle of shampoo strategically placed in the bathroom, highlighting its crucial role in the personal hygiene and hair care routine. This basic product, necessary for hair maintenance, symbolizes the importance of choosing appropriately for optimal hair health. Keywords: shampoo bottle, bath, hair care, hair, hair, basic products, personal hygiene, prices, hair health, hair maintenance. (Illustrative image Infobae)

• United States: $5.63
• Argentina: $6.33
• Spain: $5.91
• Mexico: $4.50
• Colombia: $7.15
• Peru: $5.68

Pasta dental

Image via Wikipedia Commons.

• United States: $3.98
• Argentina: $4.84
• Spain: $5.47
• Mexico: $3.32
• Colombia: $6.32
• Peru: $5.64

After the pandemic, Peruvian households were severely affected by the increase in prices of a wide range of products. Food costs remained remarkably high, even reaching 13%, from 2022 to mid-2023.

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