Food inflation in France is approaching 10%: is this the reality in supermarkets?

Margaux Fodéré / Photo credits: Nicolas Guyonnet / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP 07:40, October 30, 2023

This is a first in more than a year. Food inflation in France has fallen below 10% according to the latest figures from our partner, panelist Circana. Prices continue to rise, but at a slower pace than last year. But when they leave the supermarket, it's hard for customers to believe that inflation is slowing down because at the checkout, the bill remains very high. "Prices are rising", "it's still as expensive as ever", "we feel a steady increase and we don't really understand why", these customers told Europe 1.

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Mustard and sugar are still seeing strong increases

For good reason, not all products have undergone the same evolution in recent weeks. While the price of pasta and oil is rising at a slower rate, other products continue to explode, says Thomas Graffagnino, retail expert at Sia Partners. "Anything mustard, sweet... We have increases that are still quite strong. Double-digit inflation. There is the effect of raw materials becoming more expensive and the effect of transport and processing costs increasing with energy prices."

Food inflation has reached 21% in two years

The French have been suffering from food inflation for the past two years. In other words, to understand the evolution of prices, you have to look at the numbers over a longer period of time, says Emily Mayer of panelist Circana. "When we add up the inflation that we already had last year in October to that which we still have this year, even if it is only in the single digits, it tells us that in two years, consumer goods have increased by an average of 21%," she said.

Food inflation also reflects energy prices, the evolution of which is still very uncertain, as well as wages, which have risen over the past two years, and there is no question of reversing this inflation.