News of consumption

Spend now, worry later: no point saving in inflation-stricken Argentina

15-06-2023 15:04 Packed restaurants, long lines outside the theatre, concerts that sell out in hours – Argentines with purchasing power are responding with a frenzy of consumption in the face of soaring inflation.

CURRENCY WOES

In distorted Buenos Aires rental market, it's dollar vs peso

02-06-2023 10:15 Renting in pesos and on a long-term basis is a titanic task in the capital, where temporary and dollar-denominated supply dominates the market.

NATIONAL ICONS

Kiosco de barrio: Why Argentines remain local to their local shop

19-04-2023 22:01 Despite the growth of chain stores, this typically Latin American business remains a family one. Inspiring customer loyalty and offering a friendly ear, 70% of Argentines visit once a week, a new survey reveals.

by Enrique Garabetyan

BLOOMBERG

Shortage of cooking oil looms as biofuels gain global appeal

22-03-2023 12:30 A global biofuel boom is set to drive a shortage of vegetable oils — used for cooking and now increasingly to power trucks and planes — intensifying a debate over food versus fuel.

BLOOMBERG

Disappearing barbecues show global beef demand is under pressure

30-01-2023 17:09 It’s not uncommon to see meat-buying slide during downturns for the economy. What’s striking is that demand is falling faster in many of the countries where beef has traditionally been the protein of choice

Living with inflation

Price hikes continue as Argentina competes for another world title

13-01-2023 15:00 New data shows that Argentina is suffering from one of the worst inflation rates in the world: in 2022, prices increased by an almost unthinkable 94%.

FEATURE: DRUG-TRAFFICKING

How drug smugglers infiltrated a global shipping giant

24-12-2022 09:40 As MSC grew into a dominant force in global trade, it also became a prime drug-trafficking conduit for Balkan gangs.

FEATURE: DRUG-TRAFFICKING

The golden age of cocaine is happening right now

22-12-2022 14:09 Global fallout from Colombia's cocaine boom is showing up everywhere from the warehouses of Antwerp to coup plots in West Africa, bringing violence, corruption and big profits.

LIVESTOCK

Brazil, world's biggest beef exporter, is turning away from meat

13-12-2022 08:52 Meat consumption in Brazil fell sharply this year as rising food prices curbs demand. What’s most curious: more than 90 percent of Brazilians say they don’t want to return to their past habits.

BATTLE AGAINST INFLATION

Fuel suppliers join price control scheme with 4% monthly cap

29-11-2022 11:07 Major oil firms sign up to Sergio Massa’s new price control scheme, agreeing to cap increases in a bid to tackle inflation and keep costs at the pump down.

BLOOMBERG

Overnight 20% price jump supercharges inflation crisis

08-07-2022 11:15 Before the peso plunges even further and before retailers can jack up prices further, Argentines are rushing out to buy their essentials as soon as possible.

HEALTH & SOCIETY

UN report says cocaine use has risen in Argentina over past decade

29-06-2022 10:00 Argentina is one of the countries in South America where the consumption of cocaine and psychoactive substances has grown the most over the past decade, according to the latest UN World Drug Report.

INFLATION

Inflation bites, but high-end consumption is still on the rise

27-05-2022 00:23 Prices are rising by an average of 70% year-on-year and many popular purchases are collapsing, though tourism, theatres, gastronomy, cars and household appliance sales are in full swing.