Food Costs Surge: Staples up Over 30% As 2019, Squeezing Italian Households & Businesses
Rome, Italy – September 10, 2025 – Italian consumers are facing substantially higher grocery bills as food prices have risen sharply since 2019, with many essential items experiencing double-digit increases. A new analysis reveals widespread price hikes across a range of staples, impacting both household budgets and small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) reliant on food supplies.
The escalating costs are placing considerable strain on Italian families and businesses already navigating broader economic challenges. The consumption training and research center’s data shows butter leading the increase at 60.1% since 2019, followed by olive oil (53.2%) and rice (52.0%). These increases are not isolated incidents; coffee prices have jumped 47.6%,while seed oil is up 43.6%. The trend extends to fresh produce, with potatoes rising 40.5% and fresh vegetables increasing 36.7% over the same period.
The analysis, released today, details percentage increases for a broad basket of goods. Further increases include: cocoa and chocolate powder (51.4%), sugar (37.5%), eggs (34.3%), poultry (32.8%), fresh fruit (32.0%), mineral water (30.9%), cheeses and dairy products (29.8%), pasta (28.3%), bread (28.1%), yogurt (27.9%), soft drinks (27.8%), pork (27.1%), fresh milk (24.9%), bovine meat (24.9%), fish and fish products (24.2%), food for children (23.6%), flour and cereals (23.3%), beer (17.7%), and wine (2.8%).
These price increases reflect a complex interplay of factors,including global supply chain disruptions,rising energy costs,and geopolitical instability. SMEs,especially restaurants and food retailers,are absorbing some of these costs,impacting their profitability. Consumers are responding by adjusting their purchasing habits,opting for cheaper alternatives,or reducing overall consumption. The Ansa agency reported earlier today that industrial production rose 0.4% in July, but persistent inflation in the food sector remains a key concern for the Italian economy.
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