Following over six weeks of escalating protests concerning the skyrocketing cost of living on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, the local government has reached an agreement aimed at reducing food prices. This deal involves multiple stakeholders, including importers and distributors, and is expected to result in a 20% average reduction across 6,000 essential imported items.
Jean-Christophe Bouvier, the prefect of Martinique, announced that the agreement would significantly alleviate the financial burden on families, many of whom have been struggling with food prices that are approximately 40% higher than in mainland France. Despite the hopeful news, the leading group of protesters has rejected the deal, arguing it does not go far enough.
Protests have led to violent clashes, resulting in four fatalities and significant damage to local businesses, prompting authorities to extend a night curfew in Fort-de-France until next week.
The Rally for the Protection of Afro-Caribbean Peoples and Resources (RPPRAC) asserts that the agreement should encompass 40,000 products instead of merely 6,000 and calls for a more comprehensive approach to price adjustments across various categories, beyond just food. RPPRAC leader Rodrigue Petitot emphasized their commitment to continue advocating for fair pricing.
According to the prefecture’s communiqué, the agreement includes five critical measures aimed at reducing costs structurally and mandates large distributors to lower their profit margins significantly.
Currently, about 80% of food in Martinique is imported from mainland France. Consequently, local residents are facing exorbitant prices, such as €7.80 for a 250g packet of coffee, compared to €3.50 elsewhere. Additionally, staple items like butter can reach prices upwards of €8.50, consuming a substantial portion of household incomes with some families allocating up to 17% of their budget solely on meat.
The price disparity extends beyond food; communications costs, including phone and internet services, are also reported to be about a third higher in Martinique compared to France. A significant factor contributing to these inflated prices is the long-standing 9% import tax, known as octroi de mer, along with the numerous intermediaries involved in product distribution.
Concerns over affordability have been echoed by various protest leaders, highlighting the struggles of local families, with one commenting on the impossibility of spending €250 on groceries every ten days for basic items.
The unrest in Martinique began on September 1, leading to widespread protests and blockades, followed by the imposition of a curfew. In a rare intervention, mainland riot police were deployed, marking the first such involvement since 1959. The violence culminated in life-threatening incidents, including clashes that resulted in injuries to law enforcement and the tragic death of a man during a shopping center looting.
