Food prices shock horror

[Admiral]

I'm sure I'm not imagining it but food prices here in La Belle France seem to be rising at an alarming rate.

I first noticed it at the end of May returning from a two week sojurn in Angleterre where I was under a three-line whip to join Madame Admiral launch her latest venture - a mail order egg white macrame set complete with all the necessary bits and bobs.

I've held fire until now but, having spoken to several people, they all seem to be of the opinion that food prices are rising in a rather unsavoury manner compared to Angleterre.  For example, beef, pork and chicken are much more expensive than England.  Lamb prices here are ridiculously high.

Of course, it could be my fault for shopping at Leclerc where extensive "innovations" and unnecessary changes have to be paid for - by us.

I thought one of the arguments for us staying in the EU was cheaper food all round.  Especially in France where farmers are molly-coddled by the Common Agricultural Policy.  Err.....

I could go on but I'm boring myself now.

[Jane]

Go to SuperU, you'll be alright 

[Fred]

Prices have gone up a bit, but at least they do put the price of Diesel, Petrol, and Gas down when it becomes cheaper for them. Also we have had a 10% reduction in Electricity.

As for the supermarkets, you need to keep and eye on their promo offers.

Leclerc Montmorillon

SuperU Montmorillon

And depending on where you live you may want to check out: Carrefour Bellac

Also if you ever have to go up to Poitiers it's worth checking out Auchan.

We keep an eye out for the meat offers and buy large amounts to make our own Sausages, Bacon, Mince, Etc and bung it in the freezer. Sometimes you can get good offers at SuperU on Salmon too.  

Leclerc are a bit like Tesco and have a lot of "Lost Leaders" to get you in the shop so it's worth buying in bulk if they have something you use often Unfortunately that usually means quality is low on fresh produce in Leclerc as they push the suppliers for low prices.

You gets what you pays for.

Also keep an eye on your till receipt they are all good at forgetting to give you the offer price at the checkout.

It was much better in the old days When it was HyperU

[Clubby]

Well we've always found it very expensive here - I don't know how you guys survive on a permanent basis with these food prices!

On the plus side shopping in Aldi and Lidl is a lot less crowded over here than in the UK and thank goodness for the new Action shop - if anyone is after some gluten free pasta or buckwheat flour - it's the place to go - less than €1 a pack - Bargain!

[Admiral]

Well we've always found it very expensive here - I don't know how you guys survive on a permanent basis with these food prices!

Thank you Clubby. My original point bang on the nail.

I wasn't "dissin" France in my original post just making a general observation.  And, of course, you can't beat the lifestyle in France but it now appears it comes at a price that was never there before.

And, while I'm at it, SuperU is an expensive little store with the added disadvantage that it takes about two hours to get through check-out because, if you're lucky. they might have two open.

Having said that, the wine here is much cheaper.  Which is a big plus for some of us who like a little drop now and then.....

[Brian]

I've just returned to France after 2 weeks in the UK. Food prices over there seemed very much higher than a year or so ago. Fresh vegetables are more expensive throughout Europe because of the unproductive weather at the start of 2017.

I must say I'm very glad to be back regardless of cost

[Fred]

I'm not sure what you're buying or where, but I've just had a look at Tesco and thought it was more expensive.

We got some diced beef the other day to make some mince and it was €5.99 Kg, Tesco have it at £8.75 Kg

We got pork shoulder and belly for sausages at around €4 -€6 Kg, in Tesco it costs £4 - £6 Kg

They do a decent chicken in Carrefour for under €5 and we get two meals plus stock from one, in Tesco it would cost £4.50.

I agree Lamb is expensive, but Auchan are currently selling a front 1/4 cut up for €7.50 Kg *But it's still not worth it cause the French lamb is rubbish)

So I'm sorry but I don't see why you say it's more expensive for meat especially when you convert GBP to Euros.  

We grow all our own vegetables which helps keep costs down, and that helps pay for the odd €100000 bottle of HP Sauce.  

I can only think it's because your income is in GBP whereas ours is in Euros that you find it more expensive, and you no longer get a good rate of exchange.

[Brian]

and that helps pay for the odd €100000 bottle of HP Sauce.  

As Fred's sauce dealer I must point out that the price quoted includes my very reasonable mark-up.

[Admiral]

Some nice points - and comparisions - there Fred.

I agree with you that French lamb is hideous stuff and heavily over-priced.  A French chum once told me the price was due to massive demand from restaurants in the big cities forcing the price up at wholsesale meat markets.

Having said, every field round here seems to be full of mangy sheep so I would have thought there is plenty to go round.

And you're right about the GBP exchange rate.......which is getting worse while that half-wit Theresa May and her bunch of incompetents seem incapable of presenting a coherent Brexit plan to the EU.  While confusion reigns, the markets get the jitters, have no confidence in the UK and the £ value falls.

In the meantime Brian, you may have rights to the HP sauce business but I'm claiming the Marmire franchise for my own.  A 250gram jar of the stuff costs about £2.40 in Sainsbury whilst here it's priced at €8.95.  Nice business to be in.  I can see my euro income getting off to a flying start.

[Fred]

As Fred's sauce dealer I must point out that the price quoted includes my very reasonable mark-up.

Mrs Fred is the addict not me.    

I'm claiming the Marmire franchise for my own.  A 250gram jar of the stuff costs about £2.40 in Sainsbury whilst here it's priced at €8.95.  Nice business to be in.  I can see my euro income getting off to a flying start.

Yuk Marmite reminds me of Axle Grease and Salt.

If they sold the English products at a more reasonable price I'm sure they would sell more. HP Sauce, Heinz Beans and Marmite are the ones you hear most Brits talking about, but not many will pay the price they ask here.