Once again INDEC’s inflation rate is very different from private consultants. The agency claims that during 2009, it was 7.7%, while unofficial studies estimate it reached 15%.

According to the official agency, retail prices rose to 0.9% in December, at a rate slightly higher than in October and November. The figure, however, is far from the calculations of private Abeceb.com.

Meanwhile, wholesale prices rose 1% during December compared to November, and rounded up to 10% in the year. The cost of building increased by 0.3% last month and the year was up 10.8 percent.Consumer prices increased 0.9% in December over the previous month while the early rate is below government forecasts of 8%.

The difference becomes even more evident when comparing the cumulative inflation in the three years that INDEC has been intervened.

For INDEC prices only increased by 25.26% since December 2006 whereas for Abeceb.com increase reached 58.3%.

http://momento24.com/en/2010/01/15/i...ation-in-2009/

I tend to believe Abeceb. Prices at the grocery store change day to day, some products such as Actimel by Danone have increased by 15%, Skim Milk by Ser 15%, Apples 20% to name a few...

Anyone else notice steep price increases?

I own a store that sells many commonly purchased items, so I see the price increases as the goods are billed and delivered. Within the 7 months that I have been open, goods that I buy have increased approximately 20% across the board. However of course I can't raise my prices each and every time the providers I buy from do.

I'll call this "Bon o bon" economics (for lack of a better title)

Example:
Bon o Bon chocolate candy
06/01/2009 - Wholesale Price - $0,49 per unit - sale price (to public) $0,75
09/01/2009 - Wholesale Price - $0,55 per unit - sale price (to public) $0,75
10/01/2009 - Wholesale Price - $0,58 per unit - sale price (to public) $0,85
12/20/2009 - Wholesale Price - $0,63 per unit - sale price (to public) $0,85
As of Today 01/16/10 - Wholesale Price - $0,63 per unit - sale price (to public) $0,85

I don't know if INDEC is measuring wholesale prices, or retail or is just generalizing, but as you can see in 7 months this 1 item has risen in price 28%

This is a REAL life example, inflation is alive and well in Argentina. I guess we have to learn to live with it if we want to be here.

A friend passed me this page a couple years ago, and it appears to still be going strong. They take an index of products and chart the inflation on the street. Not sure how exact it is, but I've found it to be in keeping with what I see in my local "mercado chino".

http://www.inflacionverdadera.com/