According to the Ouest France newspaper, Reunion Island is facing a surge in fruit and vegetable prices as a direct result of Cyclone Garance that hit the island on February 28th. In March, prices jumped by 19% compared to the previous month, according to INSEE. Tomatoes, bananas and pineapples, which are very popular locally, are among the products most affected. Local tomatoes, for example, are now 5 to 6 times more expensive than at the beginning of the year.
Saint-Paul market, Reunion Island
The damage to farms is severe: some producers have lost up to 90% of their greenhouse production. In total, 35% of local production is believed to have been destroyed. Faced with this shortage, retail shelves are emptying, and consumers are changing their eating habits. Some are turning to substitute products or opting for frozen vegetables. One consumer interviewed claimed that he had to give up the fruit he usually buys for his family as he could no longer afford the price.
This increase comes at an already difficult time, as the cost of food on Reunion Island is already 37% higher than in mainland France, and the gap is set to widen even further over the coming years.
As a direct consequence of the cyclone, imports of agricultural products are increasing in order to compensate for local losses. After Cyclone Belal in early 2024, fruit imports rose by 12% and potato imports by 36%. However, these products are still subject to dock dues, a local tax that further increases their cost.