Price of fruit and vegetables falls by 8% in France, melons down 21%

Prices for most fruit and vegetables have returned to almost pre-pandemic levels, the association Familles Rurales found in an annual study.

Cherries and apricots are an exception, as stocks are low this year due to frost during the growing season. Prices for apples have also risen.

“After 2020, which saw record prices for fruit and vegetables, most products in our baskets have returned to prices similar to 2019,” the association said in a press release.

It said prices had gone down an average of 8% from June 2020 – June 2021, falling 4% for fruits and 11.5% for vegetables.

Prices for melons fell the most significantly, decreasing by 21%. Meanwhile, apricots, which were also impacted by frost, rose by 18% and apples by 9%.

Overall, prices for organic fruit fell 5%, and for non-organic fruit 3%.

Organic vegetable prices decreased by 5%, and non-organic vegetable prices by 18%.

The association completed over 100 price checks in supermarkets, hypermarkets, discount stores and organic shops from June 15-30, in 38 departments.

Results are based on findings among eight fruits (apples, melons, apricots, strawberries, peaches, bananas, lemons and watermelons) and 10 vegetables (aubergines, carrots, courgettes, green beans, lettuces, green peppers, potatoes, vine tomatoes, cucumbers and yellow onions).

The association advised families that are struggling financially to focus on buying products with reliably stable prices including carrots, courgettes, bananas and cucumbers.

It also called on the government to implement vouchers for buying fruits and vegetables for the lowest income families.

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