Except for cherries, which are rarer on the shelves due to the spring frost damage, most fruits and vegetables sold in France have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to the association Familles rurales in its annual report published on Friday.
A Price Decline of Around 8% Within One Year
“After a record year in 2020 in terms of prices, most products in our basket have returned to prices close to those of 2019,” reports the consumer protection association in a press release. “Except for cherries, prices fell overall by -8% between June 2020 and June 2021 (-4% for fruits and -11.5% for vegetables),” states Familles rurales.
Specifically, prices for organic fruits dropped by 5% overall, while conventional fruit prices fell by 3%. However, apricots — which were also affected by frost — and apples saw a significant price increase (+18% and +9% respectively). Melons, on the other hand, became 21% cheaper. For vegetables, prices for organic products decreased by 5% and conventional products by 18%.
An “Fruit and Vegetable Voucher” for the Poorest?
From June 15 to 30, Familles rurales conducted 111 price surveys in hypermarkets, supermarkets, discount stores, and organic shops, with the help of a team of 83 “consumer observers” across 38 departments. The calculation is based on a basket including eight fruits (apple, melon, apricot, strawberry, peach, banana, lemon, watermelon) and ten vegetables (eggplant, carrot, zucchini, green bean, lettuce, green pepper, potato, grape tomato, cucumber, yellow onion).
In view of certain prices “reaching new heights” and limited purchasing power, the association recommends favoring products “that remain accessible to as many people as possible” (carrots, zucchini, bananas, cucumbers, etc.) and “above all not to forgo healthy nutrition.” Familles rurales also urges public authorities to introduce a “fruit and vegetable voucher” for the poorest.