Brazil Sees 72 Percent Coffee Price Spike and 12 Percent Olive Oil Surge Triggering Anti-Theft Measures

In Brazil, coffee and olive oil have become so costly that supermarkets are now treating them like luxury items. In São Paulo, stores are installing security cages and anti-theft locks to protect these everyday staples.

One mini-market in the Perdizes district has enclosed its coffee shelves behind metal barriers, while a Carrefour store in Limão has equipped olive oil bottles with security tags typically used for pricey liquor.

The move comes as coffee prices have soared by 72.02% over the past year, fueled by poor weather, increased global demand, a weaker harvest in Vietnam, and a rising dollar. In just February, prices surged 8.53%, dwarfing Brazil’s general food inflation of 1.25%.

Olive oil, mostly imported from Europe, saw a 12.66% annual price jump, though recent months showed a slight dip. With import tax cuts and better European harvests, prices may gradually ease—but shoppers aren’t taking chances.