A comprehensive overview of price patterns in Brazil is offered by a wide array of price indices calculated and reported by government agencies and foundations.
Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV)
An independent institution in Rio de Janeiro, the FGV calculates the longest series of price indices reported on a regular basis in Brazil. Since 1944 the FGV has provided monthly indices based on information collected nationwide on wholesale prices (IPA), consumer prices (IPC-BR) and the national cost of civil construction (INCC), the latter with nationwide coverage since 1985. A composite price index (IGP-DI) is calculated as a weighted index of these three indices. In 1989 the FGV started to release the IGP-M, requested by the National Association of Open Market Dealers (ANDIMA). The IGP-M has the same index structure as the IGP-DI, differing only with regard to the data-collection period. As well as full monthly releases, two 10-day previews are reported in-between monthly releases. Another index in the IGP family, the IGP-10, released monthly, also uses the same structure as the IGP-DI, again differing only with regard to the length of time over which the data is collected.
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE)
A federal government agency, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics calculates the National Consumer Price Index (INPC) and the Enlarged Consumer Price Index (IPCA). The latter is used as the reference for the inflation target. These two nationwide indices are released monthly.
Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas da Universidade de São Paulo (FIPE-USP)
FIPE-USP has calculated the monthly Consumer Price Index (IPC-FIPE) retroactively since 1939.
Other price indices are also available. A price index for a representative food parcel is calculated daily by the Consumer Protection Agency (PROCON) and the Inter-union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomics (DIEESE).
Source: Banco Central do Brasil - Focus