Food prices in Italy have increased by 30.1% since 2019.

According to a recent ISTAT survey, food products in Italy are now almost a third more expensive than in 2019. This figure is still lower than the EU27 average, but it doesn't take into account how wages and pensions have stagnated in our country over the years. In this context, a Caritas report from a few months ago found that 23.5% of Italians live in poverty despite working. Consumption is increasingly driven by necessity, with basic expenses driving the market, even though families continue to cut back on these, both in terms of quality and quantity.

According to Federconsumatori , after the surge, partly driven by high energy prices , prices have remained high, never properly repositioning themselves downward. The association's Observatory noted, at the grocery store level, a reduction in meat and fish consumption (-16.9%, with a shift toward less expensive and premium cuts and qualities), as well as a now widespread increase in the tendency to seek out deals, discounts, and purchase products close to their expiration date , a habit adopted by 51% of citizens. Finally, another consolidated trend is the increase in spending at discount stores : +12.1%.