Food inflation rises in France as consumers seek cheaper alternatives

Rising food prices in France continue to impact consumer purchasing power. According to Insee, consumer prices rose by 2.4% year-on-year in August 2026, with food inflation specifically increasing by 1.1% over the last year. Fresh products have seen a significant spike, with prices up 5.9% annually, while meat prices have risen by 2.1%.

As costs for staples like cod reach as high as 23.50 euros per kilo, consumers are increasingly seeking cheaper alternatives. For instance, black pollack (lieu noir) is being highlighted as a culinary substitute that offers a similar texture to cod at approximately half the price.

The Banque de France forecasts an average food inflation rate of 1.6% for 2026, though it warns this figure could climb to 2.3% in 2027.