Fruit and vegetable prices increased significantly between July 2007 and July 2008, according to a report by Familles Rurales, an association grouping together 180,000 families across France.

The study states that the average price of fruits has increased by over 15 per cent, to €3.65 per kilogramme this summer. The average price of vegetables, meanwhile, has risen by 10.5 per cent, to €2.21 per kilogramme.

Familles Rurales also points out that French products are more expensive than those coming from abroad, particularly in markets, which it says are pricier than hypermarkets, supermarkets and discounters.

The association equally bemoans the disparity in price between one French department and another, with consumers sometimes paying twice the price for the same product bought at the same retailer.