the anti-inflation quarter will “obviously” be extended by three months in supermarkets, assures Bruno Le Maire

He reiterated his “determination” To “stop the price spiral” by fall. The Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, declared on Saturday May 20 on France 2 that the anti-inflation quarter in supermarkets would be “obviously” prolonged “of a quarter”.

Since March 15 and for three months, most supermarkets have agreed to sell a selection of products at “lowest possible price”, a formula that nevertheless leaves them a great deal of freedom to manoeuvre. The objective, for Bercy, is to try to stem the galloping inflation on the shelves of supermarkets. This amounted to 15% over one year in April.

“We will obviously extend [l’opération] an extra term because the summer is difficult”, declared Bruno Le Maire, guest of the program “Quelle époque!” on France 2. “As the prices are not going to drop immediately, the distributors must commit themselves for next summer and they have done so, so much the better.”

Figures contradicted by UFC-Que Choisir

The minister also “thanked” the agri-food industry for accepting new trade negotiations to lower prices. “At the start of the September-October school year, we will have – in any case, that is my determination – broken the price spiral”, he added.

According to the government, “on average over the past seven weeks, prices of products in the anti-inflation quarter have fallen by 13% in the basket”. This analysis has been called “fake” by the influential consumer association UFC-Que Choisir, which says it has noted small price increases in several brands.