Food prices are amongst the highest of the planet

[PaddyO]

Lately it seems so, but when you take the salaries and some other expenses into consideration, the difference might not be as big, if any. If you have a set income in USA, Europe might be amazing place for you though. But then you would probably complain about prices of energy, plenty of laws, and of course socialism .

Low cost, high quality groceries are great but so is blowin’ up a propane tank with a 12 gauge in your back yard, legally. Nowhere is perfect.

 

[mc kenna]

Low cost, high quality groceries are great but so is blowin’ up a propane tank with a 12 gauge in your back yard, legally. Nowhere is perfect.

Not me, again, not me, but this friend of mine you don't know have done this while complaining about socialism , sorry i had to say it, it was too funny to pass up. And once again, not me lol

 

[nikad]

It could be the case the right now some grocery items ( not beef ) are the same or more expensive than in EU or the US, however grocery shopping is not the only monthly expense. If I was living somewhere else I guess I would take into account food, housing, clothing, utilities, health, gas, entertainment, education, public transportation, gas, etc and would make an estimate on how much living in a certain place costs against other places. I don't understand the point of just looking at this one variable.

Now just talking about food, the game totally changed in the early 90s when globalization took over and both producers and industries started to try to match their profits and prices to those of other countries, not taking into account people's income, etc. It all went downhill. Before that, food was so inexpensive that you would not even think about it, in the case of Argentina, producing so much beef, poultry, grains, fruits and vegetables, oil, cereal, etc it was very affordable.

As much as that happened, politics were unable to keep up with country development and getting more people into the job market, so now you end up having very low salaries measured in dollars and very dear prices for food, measured in dollars. I believe two things must happen: either the economy will grow with genuine investment and an abundance of jobs or food prices will need to adjust to the domestic market and then set differential prices for exports.

The bottom line is that people can restrict a lot of expenses, but they cannot stop eating. It is basic survival. As for expats, I honestly do not think anybody is in this situation, BA could be cheaper, than Portugal at time, or dearer than Chile, etc, but you have options. The real issue is those who have no options, and those with no options at times make desperate decisions.

 

[Redpossum]

It could be the case the right now some grocery items ( not beef ) are the same or more expensive than in EU or the US, however grocery shopping is not the only monthly expense. If I was living somewhere else I guess I would take into account food, housing, clothing, utilities, health, gas, entertainment, education, public transportation, gas, etc and would make an estimate on how much living in a certain place costs against other places. I don't understand the point of just looking at this one variable.

Now just talking about food, the game totally changed in the early 90s when globalization took over and both producers and industries started to try to match their profits and prices to those of other countries, not taking into account people's income, etc. It all went downhill. Before that, food was so inexpensive that you would not even think about it, in the case of Argentina, producing so much beef, poultry, grains, fruits and vegetables, oil, cereal, etc it was very affordable.

As much as that happened, politics were unable to keep up with country development and getting more people into the job market, so now you end up having very low salaries measured in dollars and very dear prices for food, measured in dollars. I believe two things must happen: either the economy will grow with genuine investment and an abundance of jobs or food prices will need to adjust to the domestic market and then set differential prices for exports.

The bottom line is that people can restrict a lot of expenses, but they cannot stop eating. It is basic survival. As for expats, I honestly do not think anybody is in this situation, BA could be cheaper, than Portugal at time, or dearer than Chile, etc, but you have options. The real issue is those who have no options, and those with no options at times make desperate decisions.

Well said, Nikad. An excellent summary.

 

[perry]

I never came to Argentina because it was cheap I came to make a new life here living amongst the argentinian people . I have never earnt a overseas income or pensión. I have very close argentinian friends and it hurts me deeply how they are currently living . It has been bad for years but now it seems untenable . Poverty is a indicator of a healthy society and currently its the worse I have ever seen . I do not believe in these drastic shock theraphy policies as a countries status has to be determined on the health of its citizens not a budget surplus . Argentina deserves so much better

 

[Lisandra]

I never came to Argentina because it was cheap I came to make a new life here living amongst the argentinian people . I have never earnt a overseas income or pensión. I have very close argentinian friends and it hurts me deeply how they are currently living . It has been bad for years but now it seems untenable . Poverty is a indicator of a healthy society and currently its the worse I have ever seen . I do not believe in these drastic shock theraphy policies as a countries status has to be determined on the health of its citizens not a budget surplus . Argentina deserves so much better

It is easy to criticize someone else when you don't have to shoulder the burden to resolve the issues. Since you criticize, perhaps you have a better solution for Argentina's current economic travails? In the context of the dire economic situation which he inherited from Madame K et al, what fiscal and monetary policies would you suggest that Javier Milei implement to better the condition of the poor and middle class?

 

[AussieSurfer]

The two double jnr whopper special at Burger King has gone from 3k six months ago, to 6k, and now 9k. Unbelievable. Even earning dollars I'm no way paying that. But all the fast food places are still packed. How high can fast food prices go before demand drops off

 

[antipodean]

The two double jnr whopper special at Burger King has gone from 3k six months ago, to 6k, and now 9k. Unbelievable. Even earning dollars I'm no way paying that. But all the fast food places are still packed. How high can fast food prices go before demand drops off

The places are packed because the people who frequent them earn in pesos and think in pesos, not dollars, and as a % of their income it is more or less the same as it was before as wages have shot up a lot over the past 6 months.

Fast Food prices in Argentina have always been high compared to other restaurants and I have always wondered myself why people don’t opt for healthier higher quality food at restaurants for similar (and often lower) prices.

 

[retiredbanker]

The two double jnr whopper special at Burger King has gone from 3k six months ago, to 6k, and now 9k. Unbelievable. Even earning dollars I'm no way paying that. But all the fast food places are still packed. How high can fast food prices go before demand drops off

Actually I go to KFC around Plaza Italiano in Palermo often. For 2, chicken burgers, fries with extra chicken and soda went up to 8400 pesos. For the size, it's okay BUT where there used to be crowds, now there's plenty of seating and no waiting.

 

[AdrianB]

Fast Food prices in Argentina have always been high compared to other restaurants and I have always wondered myself why people don’t opt for healthier higher quality food at restaurants for similar (and often lower) prices.

I wonder this same thing every day. Maybe for most fast food is tastier? If I can get a steak for a similar price, no way I am having mcdonalds.