Nina Droff, edited by Thibault Nadal 9:09 p.m., March 31, 2022

Insee unveiled this Thursday morning the figures for inflation in France, which is accelerating further, to 4.5% over one year in March.

An increase which has consequences on the price of certain foods, and which forces customers to adapt, as our journalist observed in a market in the 18th arrondissement of Paris.

REPORT

One of the major concerns of the French is purchasing power.

We learned this Thursday, the SMIC should reach 1,300 euros net from May 1.

This is the third upgrade in seven months.

In fact, the minimum wage will increase mechanically, quite simply because of the rise in inflation, +4.5% in March over one year.

This is unheard of since 1985. The most affected sector after energy is food and in particular fresh produce, with an increase estimated at over 7.2% over one year. 

Fish among the most expensive foods

In front of the fruit and vegetable stall in this market in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, customers are unanimous.

They have all seen the prices of fresh produce increase in recent months.

"I eat a lot of fresh vegetables and it's more expensive," says one of them at the microphone of Europe 1. "Every time I buy fish, I find it excessively expensive", add a woman.

"What is increasing above all are bananas and apples. There, for example, I have fresh vegetables for 37 euros", finally specifies another customer.

To avoid the note being too salty, Laurent and Jean-Jacques have chosen to adapt their consumption.

"I take less and I'm careful. I look more when there are leftovers now," explains the first.

An observation shared by the second who "eats less fish".

"I try to eat it slowly and to waste less in particular. But it's true that it's not easy, we'll have to be careful".

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Traders in a delicate situation

A difficult price increase for merchants, often forced to justify themselves to dissatisfied customers.

"Zucchini, peppers, it increases by about two euros compared to the price before. When people ask us why it increases, we explain to them. Overall, they understand and you have to adapt", explains he.

But the explanations are not enough, always according to him, several regulars do not return any more vis-a-vis the too high price.