Food consumed at home rose 5.13% in Brazil in 2026 through the October IPCA-15, above the overall index increase of 4.15%. The breakdown published by the Economic Policy Secretariat using IBGE data shows uneven pressure across food groups.
Which groups rose most
Fresh foods increased 15.51%; milk and dairy, 11.37%; cereals, pulses and oilseeds, 10.94%; and the meat aggregate, 4.23%. Eating out rose 5.07%. These figures cover the year through October, not the final 2026 result. A group average cannot be applied to every individual product.
October brought increases and declines
In the October preliminary index, tomatoes rose 24.54%, onions 13.63%, potatoes 10.96% and rice 5.80%, according to IBGE figures reported by Agência Brasil. These are monthly changes. Ground coffee fell 1.16% and carrots 10.67%. Food prices did not all move in the same direction.
Reading your grocery bill
A monthly decline does not necessarily erase earlier increases. Compare equivalent products by kilogram or litre and check package weights. IPCA-15 uses a different collection period from the monthly IPCA. This article uses the October preliminary index, not the full monthly IPCA or the annual closing result.
