On January 29, 2025, the French government requested an opinion from the Autorité de la concurrence regarding the mark-ups of wholesale importers and distributors of basic food items in Martinique. This request is part of a broader initiative to tackle the high cost of living on the island.

The investigation follows an agreement signed on October 16, 2024, between the French State, the territorial collectivity of Martinique, and various operators to combat the high cost of living. The French State committed to increasing transparency in food pricing, which includes a request for the Autorité de la concurrence to analyze pricing mechanisms and mark-ups in the food retail value chain.

A delegation from the Autorité de la concurrence is currently visiting Martinique to engage with local business leaders, associations, and public authorities. These meetings aim to gather insights on the competitive functioning of markets in the region and refine the assessment of pricing practices.

The findings from this investigation will contribute to recommendations aimed at promoting economic growth while improving purchasing power for consumers in Martinique. The Autorité de la concurrence plans to submit its conclusions to the French government in early 2026.