Mexican ag, LPG prices drive July inflation

: Metals, Natural gas
24/08/08

Gains in agriculture and LPG gas price helped drive Mexico's headline inflation in July to its highest level since May 2023, although core price gains continued to ease.

The consumer price index (CPI) rose to an annual 5.57pc in July, up from 4.98pc in June and increasing for a fifth consecutive month, Mexico's statistics agency Inegi said today.

A big driver behind the July reading are fruit and vegetable prices, which climbed by 24pc in July, compared with 18pc in June.

Farm goods, and tomatoes in particular, have been hit by a double dip of bad weather with two months of extreme drought before flooding rains began to hit in late June at an active start to this year's hurricane season.

Also hitting the consumer price index (CPI), energy inflation reached 9.2pc in July from the same month in 2023. The group was led by higher LPG prices, up 26pc over last year. Low-octane gasoline prices were next highest, up 6.9pc. Electricity prices followed, rising 5.35pc on an annual basis. Domestic natural gas was the only energy item to decline, dropping 3.4pc in July.

Banorte, however, stressed that core inflation – which excludes volatile food and energy – did ease again in July, slowing to 4.05pc for the month from 4.13pc in June, marking 18 consecutive months of easing.

In a note, Banorte said energy prices stand to benefit from base calendar effects in the coming months.

Mexican bank Citibanamex noted the lower core as well in a note, adding how the recent rains are beginning to reach the most drought stricken areas, and this should help begin to contain non-core prices. "We expect annual headline inflation to resume a gradual downward trend starting in August, and we maintain our estimates for the end of 2024 at 4.4pc for headline inflation and 4.1pc for core inflation," the bank said.

The CPI increased by 1.05pc in June from the prior month, when it posted a 0.38pc monthly gain, said Inegi.

The central bank's monetary policy committee today lowered its reference interest rate to 10.75pc from 11pc, its first reduction since March.

The central bank cited the continued drop in core prices, adding the inflationary environment might allow for further rate adjustments, considering "global shocks will continue fading and the effects of weakness in economic activity."

By James Young

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25/04/24

Brazil's Usiminas steel price outlook murky

Sao Paulo, 24 April (Argus) — Brazilian steel producer Usiminas' outlook for prices was mixed as steel output rose in the latest quarter. Usiminas commercial vice-president Miguel Homes said that pressure from imports and the Brazilian real's recent appreciation to the US dollar may force the producer to adjust spot prices in the future. At the same time, the company expects prices to remain flat in the coming quarter, according to its quarterly earnings release. Usiminas confirmed a 3pc price increase for automotive manufacturer contracts in April, which could signal an opportunity for a price reduction in light of the real's appreciation. The real has appreciated by 12.5pc to the US dollar year-to-date, slashing feedstock costs for Usiminas but also pressuring its domestic price levels. Brazilian mills have been unable to raise prices because of strong import flows, which increased 30pc in the first quarter, reaching 1.7mn metric tonnes (t). Usiminas sales rose to 1mn t in the first quarter, up by 9pc from the same period a year earlier. The company expects its sales volumes to be stable in the coming months. It also boosted crude steel output to 773,000t in the first quarter, 10pc above a year prior. Rolled-steel production remained flat at 1mn t. The company exported over 90,000t of steel in the first quarter. Argentina's automotive and oil and gas pipeline industries accounted for 81pc of Usiminas'steel exports , Usiminas said. Iron ore production reached 2.1mn t in the first quarter, up by 12pc from a year earlier. The company sold 2.2mn t of iron ore, marking 13pc growth from a year before. Exports accounted for 75pc of first quarter sales and profits in the period soared by over ninefold to R337mn ($65mn). By Isabel Filgueiras Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Freeport expects tariffs to increase costs 5pc

25/04/24

Freeport expects tariffs to increase costs 5pc

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Investment funds slash net long position on Ice TTF

25/04/24

Investment funds slash net long position on Ice TTF

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US port fees threaten some metal shippers

25/04/24

US port fees threaten some metal shippers

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Indonesia developing ETS ahead of EU CBAM introduction

25/04/24

Indonesia developing ETS ahead of EU CBAM introduction

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