Domestic market
Real incomes and nominal salaries in Brazil in 2008 were 3.4% and 9.9% higher, respectively, than those in 2007. Due to the global economic crisis, however, this data may not substantiate the potential scenario for increased domestic food consumption going forward. A stronger real and subdued inflation have served to enhance this cycle of more vigorous demand. According to the A.C. Nielsen do Brasil S.A. survey, the changes in the principal product categories in 2008 compared to 2007 included: a decrease of 1.9% for specialty meats, an increase of 6.1% for frozen meats, an increase of 23.0% for frozen pastas, an increase of 3.5% for frozen pizzas, an increase of 8.0% for refrigerated dairy-processed products and a decrease of 1.0% for margarines