Argentina, once synonymous with runaway inflation, now holds the title of the most expensive country in Latin America. A cup of coffee in Buenos Aires costs $3.50, far above the $1.50 in Bogotá or São Paulo and $2.50 in Mexico City or Santiago. Protected sectors like clothing, electronics, and automobiles further inflate costs due to limited competition. Even basic items like milk and Coca-Cola are significantly pricier than regional norms. Despite these high costs, Argentina’s minimum wage remains low—slightly above Brazil’s but far below Chile’s or Mexico’s—leaving many Argentines struggling to keep up. The sharp rise in prices has driven middle- and upper-class Argentines to shop abroad or online.
February 11, 2025
SOURCE: RIO TIMES
Argentina’s $3.50 Coffee: Inflation Tamed, But Prices Soar