On January 29, 2025, the French competition authority received a formal request from the Ministers of the French Overseas Territories and the Economy. This request, grounded in Article L. 462-1 of the French Commercial Code, seeks an opinion on the pricing margins of wholesale importers and distributors of basic food items in Martinique.

This initiative follows an agreement signed on October 16, 2024, aimed at combating the high cost of living in Martinique. The agreement emphasizes increasing transparency in food pricing and includes commitments to reduce prices on over 6,000 food items, lower overall food prices, and rethink the economic model of the French overseas territories.

The competition authority's analysis will focus on how prices are set and how margins are accrued throughout the food retail value chain in Martinique. The authority will also provide recommendations to enhance transparency in pricing and margin determination for basic food items.

Since its establishment in 2008, the French competition authority has prioritized improving competitive conditions in the French overseas territories, issuing numerous antitrust decisions, opinions, and merger control decisions to foster a fair market environment.