CPI Exchange Rate Pass-Through Decomposition and Distribution Margins: The Case of Brazil versus Advanced Economies

Abstract We analyze the channels through which the Exchange rate affects final consumer prices. We compare advanced countries with one emerging economy, Brazil, to determine the corresponding exchange rate pass-through and its channels. A key aspect to the exchange rate pass-through is the relative importance of tradables in the consumption basket as well as the share of imported inputs. Since non-tradables are usually cheaper in developing economies, the share of non-tradeables is smaller in theses countries. We illustrate this scenario using data from Brazil vis-a-vis a group of advanced economies.