Is this a strategic move by drug trafficking organizations or the beginning of a lasting trend? For the first time since 2014, the price of a gram of cocaine in France has decreased, as reported in a confidential memo from the French Anti-narcotics Office, which was reviewed by Le Monde. Previously, the price had remained stable between €65 and €66 for over a decade, peaking at €70 in 2018. However, in 2024, the price has dropped by more than 10% to an average of €58, marking a historic low.
The increase in product availability is a significant factor behind this price decline, as global cocaine supply continues to rise following record production levels in 2022. The annual report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, published in January, indicated that over 2,700 tons of cocaine were produced that year, representing a 20% increase from the previous year and three times the amount produced in 2013 and 2014.
See more: Grandparents, uncle and aunt of toddler who died in French Alps released from police custody
Additionally, the rising number of consumers may be influencing this price reduction, set against a backdrop of intense competition among market players. In its 10th edition of “key figures” on “drugs and addictions,” released on January 15, the French Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (OFDT) identified “the broader distribution of psychostimulants,” including cocaine, as “one of the significant trends in recent years.” In 2023, the period covered by this report, approximately 1.1 million individuals in France reported having used cocaine at least once.
About The Author
