2023-05-18 18:26:22
The finding is alarming. In the land of gastronomy, one in six people do not have enough to eat, i.e. 16% of French people. This is revealed by a study by the Research Center for the Study and Observation of Living Conditions (Crédoc), published on Wednesday May 17. The situation has particularly worsened in recent months: between July and December 2022, the rate rose by 4 points.
Main factor of this increase? Inflation. If it has long remained contained below the 2% mark thanks to the tariff shield put in place by the State, it jumped from December 2021, particularly affecting food products. In March 2023, the price increase was 5.7% over one year for all products, and 16% for food products. “Three quarters of the people concerned cite the lack of money as the reason for their situation”, advance the study.
The French have restricted themselves
Inflation has had a significant impact on “first price” products. Between January 2022 and January 2023, their prices increased by an average of 21%, according to the analysis firm IRI. An increase which must be combined with others, in particular energy. “We can therefore assume that the French have restricted themselves to the food item due to the increase in the cost of certain incompressible expenses, such as the journey between home and work by car.», analyzes the Crédoc.
The study points to another trend: the increase in the number of French people who do not have access to fresh products or products with high nutritional value. Nearly one in two individuals (45%) say they restrict their food expenditure. However, this figure had fallen sharply during the confinement episodes between 2020 and 2021, falling to 22%.
Young people and women particularly affected
Food insecurity particularly affects young adults: 24% of those under 40 do not have enough to eat, compared to 17% of those aged 50-59. Among the latter, there are more women than men (18% against 14%). The study also highlights qualitative food insecurity. This, says the study, is not necessarily related to financial problems, but also organization times or diet ».
Coincidentally, the publication of the report coincides with the announcement of the reopening of negotiations on prices between agro-industrial companies and supermarkets. In March, these negotiations resulted in an increase of around 10% in the prices paid by supermarkets to major brands. This new trading cycle should result in lower prices for some branded products, but should not allow a return to last year’s price level.
At the same time, manufacturers have agreed to extend the anti-inflation quarter after June 15, which should make it possible to partially contain the rise in the prices of basic necessities.
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