- According to the Rural Families association, the price of conventional fruits and vegetables increased by 17% between June 2019 and June 2020.
- Eating five fruits and vegetables a day could cost between 12 and 21% of the income of a family of four at the monthly minimum wage.
- 20 Minutes asked its readers how they cope with such a loss of purchasing power.
"Eat five fruits and vegetables a day", for several years, this slogan has been anchored in the minds of all French people. Yet many fail to follow this instruction. For taste, perhaps. For lack of means, surely. And the situation may not improve with regard to the survey published by Rural Families on July 28. According to the association, the price of fruits and vegetables has increased by 17% for conventional products since June 2019. This increase also affects organic products which are increasing by 6%. 20 Minutes asked its readers how they cope with this loss of purchasing power.
Consume less
"It may seem amazing because we are in the middle of the season, but I have to limit myself", says Martine. Like her, many have confided in having to restrict their consumption of fruits and vegetables. Some, like Monique, are forced to limit themselves "to the strict minimum because of small income". Others like Ingrid prefer to reserve this “fun for the children from time to time”. Several readers say they are helpless in the face of this surge in fresh produce prices, and admit that they can no longer consume them every day. Raymond is also limited and says he launched “in the hunt for promotions between stores. I spend time researching and comparing ”. Tamara, who can not do without fruit and vegetables, explains that she has given up on organic products and looked for in the bulk shelves of supermarkets.
Another possibility is offered to consumers who want to continue to eat “green” every day, as Dominique explains: “Faced with the scandalous prices in supermarkets, I have resolved to no longer buy it elsewhere than at discounters. who keep prices correct. "In their testimonies, some Internet users choose to look for" lower quality "rather than going without fruits and vegetables.
Nicole has not made up her mind and prefers to sacrifice other items of expenditure: “I prefer vegetables to meat and fish. It's better for you and some contain more protein. "
Frozen and canned as the first solution
The solution that comes most often to our readers to offset the rise in the price of fruit and vegetables is well known to all: frozen food. Far from being a real concession, many claim to appreciate this method of conservation. “The frozen vegetables are of good quality now. They are often even better than those found fresh in the supermarket, ”says Andrée. Adrianne, for her part, agrees and adds that in addition to the quality, she appreciates looking less at her wallet when buying: “The prices hardly change, there are no unpleasant surprises. Hatiyce, who has not put a stop to fresh produce and wants to keep pace with the seasons, concede however to turn to frozen food according to its means. Another solution for her is to preserve it. Like Camille, who is resolved and does not regret the peaches, nectarines, plums “which have no taste, nor the tasteless tomatoes that can be found in the fridge. "
Roxanne chose an intermediate solution. If she continues to buy fresh produce, she has her own technique to pay for them less: “I buy in bulk. It costs less. Then I clean them, cut them and put them in the freezer. It allows me to have some for a while. "She even confides a little anti-waste secret so as not to lose anything:" When I peel my fruits and vegetables, I keep the skins to clean them and then put them in the oven. It makes excellent crisps! "
On the market side
One of the best ways to buy wholesale is to go to the market. Danielle regrets the prices that can be found there: “Some producers abuse and align themselves with the prices of supermarkets. "Sophia is more optimistic and advises:" You just have to organize yourself and sometimes be a little patient. All are not at the same prices and it is possible to supply yourself without bleeding. In addition to the quality of the products found there, producers are able to negotiate their prices. Especially for regular customers and those who buy in quantity. Even when you buy little, you can get more affordable prices, as Quentin explains: “I go to the end of the markets to find fruit and vegetables at a discount. Sometimes you have to negotiate. But, as a student, I can't afford the normal prices. "
Direct to producer
For Marion, one of the main reasons for these expensive prices is that we no longer fit in with the seasons: “We got used to stuff that comes from around the world. Obviously, with the crisis, they cost an arm. »His solution? Consume local. The best source? Producers near her. The idea is the same for Nathalie, a nursery assistant who has to cook for seven people every lunchtime, or for Cynthia, who goes for the picking: “Near Vannes, there is a producer where we go. The customer collects the products himself and then proceeds to the checkout. Without the personnel costs, the prices per kilo are much lower than those found elsewhere. "
If she does not do the picking herself, Anne, a vegetarian, also takes advantage of the direct sale of market gardeners near her home: “Suddenly, I allow myself to buy good organic fruits and vegetables. "
And direct access to producers is not limited to those who live in the countryside. Marco explains going through “La Ruche qui dit oui”, a cooperative of producers who can order products online: “And once a week, they go to a place in Paris, you just have to come and collect your order and you have all the necessary fees. This solution, Riyadh was not to know it. With his partner, he took matters into his own hands: “We surveyed our relatives and some neighbors and we approached a few producers who, under certain quantities of orders, deliver to us once a week. »A way to benefit from local producers, even when living in the city.
And local producers, there could be more and more. The confinement seems to have given time and ideas to many French people with a little green space, like Chantal: “My vegetable garden has developed well and I'm starting to have everything. “To the point that some manage to share and exchange. Christelle, who cannot be satisfied with vegetables from her garden, has found networks on which she can buy surpluses from other individuals. Neighbors, perhaps like Solenn, whose land is fertile in figs, which she can now exchange for her neighbor's eggs.
Economy
Deprivation, seasonal products, direct purchases… How are you managing the increase in the prices of fruit and vegetables?
Society
Peaches, pears and cherries… Fruit prices have increased by 17% in one year for conventional products, and 6% for organic products
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Economy
- Fruits and vegetables