Wednesday evening during the special program “Belgians facing the crisis” on RTL-TVi, we compared a shopping cart of products purchased in Belgium and France. With the same products. The bill is much higher in Belgium. The Prime Minister defended himself by stating that vegetables, on the contrary, were cheaper here. Is that the case ? And why ?
When you go to the car parks of French supermarkets, not far from the border, Belgian plates are legion. Mirella and Didier came to spend 80 euros of racing, including only 1.91 euros of fruit and vegetables.
They know, it’s not interesting: “I thought the price was excessive: 2.59 euros for celery. It’s a bit expensive all the same. At home (in Belgium), it’s half the price. I didn’t take it. I took it leave alone“, says Mirella.
Their bananas cost 1.39 euros per kilo, or 20 cents more than a first price in Belgium in a comparable store.
Pierre-Alexandre Billiet, economist, confirms the differences and the figures: “Since 2014, prices have been up to a maximum of 35% more expensive in France. It is not necessarily Belgium which is cheaper for fruit and vegetables, it is above all France which is more expensive for local products.”
France is also more expensive than the European average. It has many local productions which are expensive in labor, more than imported fruits and vegetables. There is therefore no question for Belgians of refueling in France on these products. This is the case of the Carolos who contented themselves with a few chestnuts and 4 apples: “Between a few fruits and vegetables and everything else, we are winners by coming here (France).”
A reduction in VAT on fruit and vegetables as announced in Belgium will further widen the gap with our neighbours. A gap that also exists for frozen foods with more competitive prices here thanks to the presence of world leaders, especially in Flanders.