Figures from the Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies published today reveal record inflation in New Caledonia. A price increase of 3.7% over one year for food. A rate that had not been reached since 1983. So fresh produce has become a luxury for Caledonians.
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Sophie lives with her three children and her mother in Noumea. Five mouths to feed, it has become complicated with her nurse’s salary, especially if she wants healthy and fresh products. Tomatoes are at 1 000 francs per kilo, or 8.40 euros. Salad is about the same price. In a country where diabetes and obesity are very common, it’s going to be very complicated to eat ” she fears.
To save money, she buys in bulk. The budget has been very tight since the riots in May: at that time, supermarkets were closed and some products became impossible to find. Mickael, a house painter, spent a lot of money.
” Five or six times for small purchases, but you realize that you spend more than when you do big purchases once. “, he notes.
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Local products mainly concerned
It is mainly the prices of local products that have exploded. Gilles Vernier, president of UFC-Que Choisir in New Caledoniaexplains this partly by the difficulties of transport due to the blockades.
“ A producer who wants to go down to Noumea and takes three or four times longer than usual, this is reflected in the costs. ” he said.
Products imported to the island are not affected by these difficulties. But they are considered to be of lower quality because they are chemically treated and sometimes transported for days.