Lula will call wholesalers to discuss food inflation and considers the price of eggs absurd.

247 - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Thursday (20) that he intends to call wholesalers to a meeting at the federal government with the aim of seeking alternatives to reduce food prices in Brazil. In an interview with Tupi FM radio, in Rio de Janeiro, Lula expressed his concern about the increase in costs for the consumer and stressed that he considers the current price of a carton of 30 eggs, which can reach R$ 40, to be "absurd".

"We will have to meet with wholesalers to think together about alternatives to lower the cost of food. The fact that we are selling products in dollars, which are high, does not mean that we have to pass on to the Brazilian consumer the same price as we export," the president stated. Lula emphasized that the price increase is related to exports and the exchange rate of the foreign currency, stressing that the domestic market cannot be harmed by this dynamic.

The president specifically mentioned the egg market, highlighting that the United States has started importing the Brazilian product, which has contributed to the pressure on prices in Brazil. "We are talking to business owners so that they continue exporting, but there can't be a shortage for the Brazilian people. You can't set the same price you export at. When they told me that a box of 30 eggs was R$ 40, I thought it was absurd. In the current situation, we can't control prices overnight," said Lula.

The president's statement comes at a time when Brazil is facing fluctuating food prices due to a combination of factors, including climate crises and increased external demand. Lula highlighted that extreme weather conditions, such as droughts, forest fires, and heavy rains, have directly impacted agricultural production, raising the cost of products like coffee.

Despite this challenging scenario, Lula highlighted the efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture to expand export markets without compromising domestic supply. "Brazil is prepared to supply food to the world without allowing this to affect the [domestic] price. We cannot raise prices here because of prices abroad. The world wants to eat, and Brazil can provide food without needing to deforest anything," he stated.

The interview also takes place on the eve of Lula's visit to Rio de Janeiro, where he will participate in the signing of the concession contract for the ITG02 port terminal in Itaguaí. The project, won by Cedro Participações SA in an auction held in December 2024, will receive investments of R$ 3,58 billion and is considered a milestone for the state's port sector.