BRASIL ! What Things Cost in Brazil
  

In a country the size of Brazil (slightly larger than the continental United States), it is almost impossible to definitively note the price of everything, especially items you would normally find in a modern supermarket..
While most of the larger cities have supermarkets, stores and other retailers operated by one or more of the larger Brazilian-based chain stores as well as stores operated by one of the large international chains, smaller towns and cities may only have one locally or regionally operated supermarket (if any) as well as numerous corner grocery stores, drug stores, specialty stores that only sell meats, vegetables and fruits and other items.

Because the large chain stores simply have more buying power, their prices for many items can often be less than those in small towns or cities. Likewise, many small towns and cities that are closer to agricultural production can often offer such fresh items for less than the large chain stores due to the fact that transportation costs are far less.

The two very largest international chains operating in Brazil are Walmart Brasil [in English] and the French Carrefour Group [in Portuguese]. Carrefour Group opened its first store in Brazil in 1975 and became number one in sales in the Brazilian food market in April 2007. It is one of the Brazil's five largest private employers with 48,000 people on staff. About 5 million Brazilians have a Carrefour credit card.

Walmart began operations in Brazil in 1995 and is now present in 18 Brazilian states and the Federal District. It employs almost 80,000 people, has annual sales revenues close to R$20 billion, operates 436 retail units including 45 Walmart Supercenters, 23 Sam's Club stores as well as other stores under the names TodoDia, Bompreco (118 stores) and Sonae (140 stores).

Another of the largest Brazilian supermarket chains is Pão de Açucar [in English] which offers delivery of almost 15,000 items through its online shopping site [in Portuguese].

All of the prices noted below are in Brazilian reais (R$) which, as of the start of the second quarter of 2010, has an exchange rate which has  fluctuated between R$1.70 and R$1.80 = US$1.00.

We have attempted to include as many brands here as possible that might be familiar to those in North America and Europe. Sometimes, these brands are a little more expensive than other competing Brazilian brands. We have also attempted to select only "good quality" brands where there is a choice.
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Where applicable, the package contents are noted in grams (gr), milliliters (ml), kilograms (kg) and liters (lt). All prices noted here are those one could expect to find in a large chain supermarket in a major city and can vary greatly (up or down) from one store to another and, from one location in Brazil to another. For example, price differences from a small rural town -vs- large metropolitan city. We have excluded any "sale" prices. Scroll down or click on a category immediately below:

Toiletries
Snacks & Refreshments
Cleaning Products
Dairy Products
Meats, Poultry & Fish
Vegetables
Fruit
Staples
Various
Toiletries
Soap - Dove (bar) 90 gr R$ 1.27 Shampoo - Palmolive - 350 ml  R$ 4.38
Soap - Nivea (bar) 90 gr R$ 1.23 Shampoo - Pantene - 200 ml  R$ 7.27
Toothpaste - Closeup (whitening) 90 gr R$ 3.73 Shampoo - Clear (dandruff) 200 ml  R$ 7.99
Toothpaste - Colgate (Total 12) 90 gr R$ 2.79 Sunblock - Banana Boat (SPF 30) 236 ml  R$ 50.28
Toothpaste - Oral-B (gel) 90 gr R$ 3.20 Sunblock - Sundown (SPF 30) 50 gr  R$ 26.64
Toothpaste - Sensodyne (original) 50 gr R$ 8.55 Tampons - OB (regular) 10 count R$ 5.34
Toothbrush - Colgate (360° deep clean) each R$ 10.90 Panty Liner - Carefree (daily w/o perfume) 40 count R$ 6.41
Mouthwash - Listerine (cool mint) 250 ml  R$ 8.55 Diapers - Huggies (natural care) 30 units R$ 28.78
Mouthwash - Colgate (Plax) 250 ml R$ 8.66 Q-Tips - Johnson & Johnson - 75 count R$ 2.13
Dental Floss - Colgate - 50 meters R$ 5.55 Band Aid (regular/transparent) 40 count R$ 5.29
Razor Gillette (3 blade/disposable) 2 count R$ 8.55 Kleenex - (travel box) 50 tissues R$ 3.95
Razor - Bic - (3 blade/disposable) 2 count R$ 6.62 Insect Repellent - Off! - 200 ml  R$ 19.89
Deodorant - Gillette (aerosol/artic ice/triple protection) 150 ml  R$ 10.58 Muti-Vitamins - Centrum - 30 count R$ 41.54 
Deodorant - Dove (aerosol/original) 169 ml  R$ 12.19 Toilet Paper - Neve - 4 rolls R$ 5.02 
Deodorant/Antiperspirant - Gillette (roll-on/clear gel) 82 gr R$ 15.40 Condoms (lubricated) 3 count R$ 2.85

Snacks & Refreshments
Popcorn - Yoki (microwave w/butter) 100 gr R$ 1.66 V-8 Juice (imported) 1- 12 ounce can R$ 8.00
Peanuts - Dr. Oetker (Beernuts/bag) 100 gr  R$ 4.87 Beer - Heineken - 350 ml. R$ 1.89
Peanuts - Planters (roasted/can) 340 gr R$ 21.92 Beer - Antarctica - 350 ml. R$ 1.00 
Cashew Nuts - Dr, Oetker (bag) 100 gr  R$ 12.29 Beer - Brahma - 350 ml. R$ 1.25
Pistachio Nuts - Dr. Oetker (bag) 100 gr  R$ 14.43 Beer - Skol - 350 ml. R$ 1.25
Potato Chips - Ruffles (bag) 50 gr  R$ 1.92 Cachaça - Ypióca - 960 ml R$ 12.73
Potato Chips - Pringles (flovored/can) 163 gr R$ 8.55 Cachaça - 51 - 960 ml R$ 5.73
Corn Chips - Doritos (bag) 50 gr R$ 2.11 Coca Cola (1 can) - 350 ml  R$ 1.41
Cheetos - (bag) 170 gr R$ 4.38 Coca Cola (six cans) - each 350 ml  R$ 8.40
Snickers Bar - 52 gr R$ 1.98 Vodka - Grey Goose 750 ml R$ 148.73
M&Ms (peanut/bag) 49 gr R$ 2.78 Vodka - Stoli - 1 lt R$ 64.09
Granola Bar - Nature Valley - 42 gr  R$ 2.34 Vodka - Smirnoff - 998 ml R$ 23.97
Chocolate Mix - Swiss Miss (powered) - 125 gr R$ 10.15 Bourbon Whiskey - Jim Beam - 1 lt R$ 117.99
Peanut Butter - Amendocrem - (jar) 200 gr R$ 5.34 Bourbon Whiskey - Jack Daniels - 1 lt R$ 116.63
Marshmallow - Campfire (bag) 300 gr R$ 19.21 Scotch Whiskey - Johnnie Walker (black) - 1 lt R$ 99.90
Orange Soda - Fanta (1 can) - 350 ml  R$ 1.44 Scotch Whiskey - Chivas - 1 lt R$ 112.24
Grape Soda - Fanta (1 can) 350 ml R$ 1.44 Scotch Whiskey - J & B - 1 lt R$ 64.09
Lemon/Lime Soda - Sprite (1 can)  350 ml R$ 1.44 Scotch Whiskey - Ballantines (8 y/o) - 1 lt R$ 69.44
Chewing Gum - Trident (sugarless) 12.33 gr R$ 1.38 Wine - Bolla (Cabernet Sauvignon) 750 ml  R$ 42.69
Cigarettes - Marlboro (red/soft pack) R$ 3.75 Mineral Water - 350 ml R$ 1.00+

Cleaning Products
Shoe Polish (liquid) 60 ml  R$ 7.16 Laundry Soap - Ariel (powder/box) 1 Kg  R$ 5.77
Bleach - 1 lt R$ 2.45 Cleaner - Ajax (concentrate/liquid)  500 ml  R$ 2.49 
Vanish (liquid) 1.5 lt R$ 10.59 Air Deodorizer - Glade (aerosol) 400 ml R$ 6.62
Vanish (powder) 900 gr R$ 25.47 Insecticide - Raid (aerosol) 300 ml  R$ 6.94
Rubber Gloves - Scotchbright (pair) R$ 8.70 Fabric Softener - 2 lt R$ 4.27
Disinfectant - Pinesol-  500 ml  R$ 2.99 Steel Wool Pads - Bom Bril (60 gr/8 count) R$ 2.02 
Floor Wax - Poliflor (liquid) 750 ml R$ 8.12 Toilet Bowl Cleaner (liquid) 500 ml  R$ 4.48
Dishwasher Detergent - Finish (tablets) 15 tablets/295 gr  R$ 11.66 Sanitizing Alcohol 500 ml  R$ 4.65
Dishwashing Detergent (liquid) 500 ml R$ 1.12 Vacuum Cleaner Bags -Electrolux - 5 count R$ 21.09

Dairy Products
Eggs (large/white/dozen) R$ 5.55 Cream Cheese - Philadelphia - 150 gr R$ 3.15
Butter (salted) 200 gr R$ 1.81 to R$ 4.38 Requeijão - Catupiry - 250 gr  R$ 8.01
Margarine (salted) 500 gr R$ 2.34 to R$ 3.62 Whole Milk (box/ultra high temperature) 1 lt R$ 2.24
Processed Cheese (cheddar flavor) 160 gr/8 slices R$ 5.34 Whole Milk (fresh) 1 lt R$ 2.84
Ricotta Cheese (fresh)  400 gr R$ 7.02 Yogurt  - Danone 170 gr R$ 1.00
Mozzarella Cheese 450 gr  R$ 17.66 Ice Cream - Haagen Dazs - 500 ml  R$ 17.90
Brie Cheese - Bonjour France (imported/can) 125 gr R$ 17.59 Ice Cream - Nestle - 2 lt R$ 14.12

Meats, Poultry & Fish
Beef - Contra Filet - 500 gr R$ 13.41 Fish - Cod (dried) 1 kg R$ 50.77
Beef - Ground (95% lean) 500 gr R$ 10,56 Fish - Haddock (frozen) 100 gr R$ 13.26
Beef - File Mignon (medallions) 500 gr R$ 14.51 Fish - Tilapia (fresh) 300 gr R$ 10.59
Beef - Picanha - 1 kg R$ 33.93 Fish - Salmon (filets/frozen) 400 gr R$ 18.46
Beef - Rump Steak - 500 gr R$ 14.30 Fish - Trout (fresh) 500 gr R$ 18.18
Pork - Chops (frozen) 1 kg R$ 8.58 Shrimp - Medium (frozen) 400 gr R$ 34.23
Chicken - Whole  R$ 15.23 Crab (king crab) (frozen) 500 gr R$ 53.82
Chicken - Breast (frozen) 1 kg R$ 8.12 Squid (cut rings/frozen) - 500 gr R$ 26.74
Turkey - Whole  (frozen) 4.2 kg R$ 58.03 Bacon - Sadia (sliced) 140 kg R$ 5.87
Sausage - Calabresa - Sadia - 500 gr R$ 10.59 Beef  (dried) 500 gr R$ 8.23
Hot Dogs - Sadia - 500g  R$ 8.55 Tuna Fish  (can) 120 kg R$ 6.73

Vegetables
Onions - 1 kg R$ 4.11 Tomatoes (cherry) 200 gr R$ 4.06
Garlic (whole) 350 gr R$ 5.95 Lettuce (iceberg/small head) R$ 4.12
Potatoes (white) 2 kg R$ 10.59 Cauliflower (1 head)  R$ 4.80
Corn (fresh in husk) 1 kg R$ 3.52 Brocolli (1 head)  R$ 4.95
Green Pepper - 1 kg R$ 11.29 Greens (e.g. mustard greens) (1 bunch) R$ 4.80
Cabbage (head)  R$ 6.83 Zuccini (Italian) 1.5 kg R$ 11.11
Artichoke  (1 whole) 600 gr R$ 3.72 Carrots (fresh) 180 kg R$ 2.21
Eggplant - 1 kg R$ 8.12 Basil (fresh) 15 gr R$ 4.59
Cucumber - 700 gr R$ 6.31 Tomatoes (regular) 1 kg R$ 6.70
Tomatoes (regular) 1 kg R$ 6.70 Tomatoes (Italian) 200 gr R$ 10.25

Fruit
Apples - Fuji - 1kg R$ 5.11 Passion Fruit (sweet) 900 gr  R$ 26.74
Pineapple (1 whole) R$ 3.98 Watermelon (small melon)  R$ 9.62
Goiaba (red) 900 gr R$ 5.34 Cantalope (1 melon)  R$ 7.68
Bananas (12) R$ 6.89 Pears (4) R$ 10.77
Oranges - 2 kg R$ 5.37 Tangerines - 1 kg R$ 3.17
Limes - 1 kg R$ 1.87 Grapes (red) 700 gr R$ 7.28
Acerola (fresh) 400 gr R$ 10.59 Grapes (green/seedless) 400 gr R$ 3.84
Kiwi - 1.5 kg R$ 12.31 Coconut Water (packaged)500 ml R$ 3.84
Papaya - 1.2 kg  R$ 11.33 Coconut (whole/in shell) R$ 4.27
Mango (pink) 2 count R$ 5.16 Figs - 300 gr R$ 5.34

Staples
Rice (white) 1kg R$ 2.84 Salt - 1 kg R$ 1.34
Rice (whole grain) 500 gr R$ 2.88 Sugar (brown)  1kg R$ 9.41
Beans (pinto type/dry/package) 1kg R$ 4.27 Sugar (refined/white) 1kg R$ 2.56
Beans (black/dry/package) 1kg R$ 4.06 Flour (white) 1kg R$ 3.63
Spaghetti (dry) 500 gr R$ 2.45 Olive Oil - Cabonell - 500 ml R$ 11.66
Pasta (fettuccini) 500 gr R$ 12.83  Canola Oil - 900 ml R$ 6.73
Oatmeal Flakes - Quaker - 250 gr  R$ 2.19 Bread  (white/loaf) 500 gr R$ 3.20

Various
Bran Flakes w/ raisins - Kellogs - 250 gr  R$ 7.48 Ovomaltine (powdered chocolate for milk) 400 gr  R$ 6.62
Frosted Flakes (Sucrilhos) - Kellogs - 300 gr  R$ 6.41 Dog Food - Pedigree (dry) 1 kg  R$ 12.61
Celestial Seasonings Apple & Cinnamon Tea - 23 gr R$ 11.22 Dog Food - Puppy Chow - Purina (dry) 1 kg  R$ 10.59
Raspberry Jam - Queensbury - 320 gr R$ 12.29 Mayonnaise - Hellman's - 500 gr R$ 4.59
Coffee - Pilão (roasted/ground)500 gr R$ 6.40 Catchup - Heinz - 397 gr  R$ 6.37
Lasagna - Sadia - (frozen) 650 gr  R$ 9.41 Mustard - French's (yellow) 226 gr  R$ 6.73

 
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