Picanha, prices and politics: What Brazil's favorite steak says about the election
In Brazil's presidential election, the price of picanha steak has become a symbolic economic indicator for voters. Candidates are being judged on their ability to manage inflation and improve the purchasing power of working-class citizens.
Why it matters
It illustrates how everyday consumer goods can become powerful political symbols in economic debates during national elections.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil—As Brazilians prepare to vote in the first round of the presidential election Sunday, they're weighing sharp differences between the top candidates on security , foreign policy , and the environment . But they're also thinking about kitchen table issues .
And if you really want to know how Brazilians feel about the economy, look no further than how often picanha, the country's prized cut of beef, is on the table.
When left-wing president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was campaigning for his current role four years ago, he told voters they would be able to afford picanha again if he were elected. At the time, Brazil's economy was still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Picanha, or a top sirloin cap steak, is a marker of prosperity in this beef-loving country.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in