BBC Escreveu:Argentina inflation soars Economy minister Lavagna has vowed not to intervene
Argentine prices have risen 20% so far this year following the devaluation of the country's currency the peso, officials have said.
The situation is very difficult
The prices of fresh eggs and vegetable oils, as well as the prices of computers and televisions, have risen between 100% and 200%, according to a survey by the Argentine business chamber CAME.
The sharpest price increases were seen in April, raising fears that there could be worse to come.
"On Monday the official inflation rate [for April] will be announced, and it will be around 10% [for that month alone]," said cabinet chief Alfredo Atanasof in interviews on Sunday.
A 70% fall in the value of the peso since the 11-year peg to the US dollar was ended in January has sent the prices of imported goods soaring.
Many Argentines cannot afford to buy food
This has boosted demand for home-grown products, sending these prices higher too.
Had it not been for a price freeze on public utilities, the official inflation rate would have been even higher.
After four years of recession, the country suffers from almost 20% unemployment and flat wages, so the Argentine people can ill afford a return to hyper-inflation - as seen during the 1980s when inflation reached almost 5,000%.
"The situation is very difficult," said Mr Atanasof.
Prices have risen much more sharply than President Eduardo Duhalde had predicted.
In January, he predicted that inflation for the year as a whole would reach 15%.
Despite having been caught by surprise, the Argentine government will not intervene, Mr Atanasof said.
Last week, Argentina's new economy minister, Roberto Lavagna, vowed to keep the peso floating.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1970198.stm