Faced with inflation of more than 14% in food products in February, French consumers are more forced than ever to make decisions.
Thus, 69% of the French say that they have already given up “making some food purchases for budget reasons in the last 12 months”, according to a ‘zoom’* study by the Cetelem Observatory with Harris Interactive and Toluna. And 30% consider that these resignations referred to essential products.
Obviously, these choices are more significant among young people (83% of those under 35 say they have given up on products) and low-income households (80%).
Prepared meals and meat
But what are these products? According to the survey, ready meals, sauces and vinaigrettes are the first to be discarded (57% of respondents) ahead of fresh fish (55%), alcoholic beverages (54%), French fries and cookies appetizer (51%) or meat (50%).
It should also be noted that 33% of respondents feel they have given up fresh fruits and vegetables and 23% milk, dairy products and eggs.
Here again, the households with the lowest incomes are the ones who forgo the most to buy products in certain categories. 88% of these households did not buy fresh produce and 91% “pleasure” food.
But the scope of inflation now affects all socio-professional categories.
Thus, 54% of high-income households also say they have given up certain products: 76% fresh food and 77% “pleasure” food. The high figures are far from insignificant because they show that no one is saved.
Faced with these limitations, consumers are deploying an arsenal of actions to limit the damage. According to the study, 86% say they are careful not to waste, 75% resort more to promotions, 67% give up other expenses, 65% resort to own brands and low cost.
The richest households also resort to low cost
Here again, the appeal of less expensive brands is felt regardless of income category, with 48% of the richest households choosing low-cost brands more than usual, compared to 54% of the poorest households. .
More worryingly, 49% even say they eat less, a rate that rises to 59% among low-income households. 45% say they consume more expired products than in the past (50% among the poorest) and 37% say they eat less balanced or lower quality products (52% in low-income households).
These changes in behavior are set to continue. “Among those who have made changes in their consumption of brands, the majority consider these changes as permanent (67%). On the contrary, only 3% indicate that these adaptations will quickly disappear from their consumption patterns”, it can be read.
One in two French people say they eat less
It must be said that 74% of those surveyed believe “that food prices will continue to rise in the next 12 months. Only 8% anticipate a fall, of which only 1% think that prices will return to their pre-existing level. “.
Remember that the Banque de France estimates that the rise in prices will lose intensity in the coming months. Inflation should halve by the end of the year before returning to around 2% in winter 2024/25.
More generally, the French seem lucid, estimating 79% that food prices will continue to experience strong fluctuations in the future, regardless of age. The solution? Increase food independence even if it means paying more for produce. They are 73% to think so.
*: Survey conducted online from February 8 to 10, 2023. Sample of 1,000 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over. Quota method and adjustment applied to the following variables: sex, age, socio-professional category and region of the interviewee.
Source: BFM TV
