IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE SUPPLY AND PRICES OF LETTUCE, POTATO AND TOMATO IN MINAS GERAIS

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the dynamics of the production, commercialization and consumption of vegetables. Lettuce, potato and tomato, an herbaceous vegetable, a tuberous vegetable and a fruit vegetable, respectively, are among the group of vegetables purchased most frequently. The objective of this study was to evaluate how the pandemic affected the price and supply of lettuce, potato and tomato in 2020 compared to previous years based on data from CEASA-MG from 2016 to 2021. The supply of lettuce was constant in 2020 but lower than the previous year until the month of August, and in December, the price was equal to that of the previous year. The supply of potato was lower throughout 2020 than in previous years. The price of potato was lower in 2020 than the price charged in 2019, until October 2020. The supply of tomato was low throughout 2020. Additionally, with respect to price, there was a decrease from March to July 2020 and a subsequent increase, surpassing the prices of previous years starting in October. In conclusion, both the supply and price of these vegetables were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.