Research led by Familles Rurales has revealed that "eating 5 fruit and vegetables a day" costs a family of four €160/month, up 4.5% compared to 2017. On average a kilo of fruit costs €3.91 and vegetables €2.25. Families on a budget spend about €115 a month whilst those consuming organic fruit and vegetables will pay €225. Carrot prices have increased by a huge 43% in under a year, followed by peaches (17.9%), nectarines (17.3%), apples (15.7%), apricots (15.6%), melons (15.3%), courgettes (13.1%) and salad (11.6%).
Why such a high increase in prices? Apricots, for example, saw production decrease by about 30% compared to 2017, mainly due to the cold, frost and rain over the spring. The offer was then lower than the demand.
However it is not only the yield that leads to an increase in prices. Carrots only saw a 3% decrease in yield this year, but their prices increased by 40%. This increase is due to the negotiations between producers, distributors and supermarkets who all want the highest margins and the prices soar for consumers.