Campania faces higher grocery costs and lower incomes than northern Italy

An investigation by Altroconsumo has revealed a significant economic paradox in Italy, where families in Campania face higher grocery costs despite having lower average incomes compared to northern regions.

According to the study, which analyzed approximately 1.5 million prices across 1,158 stores in 67 cities, a family in Campania spends an average of 7,392 euros annually on groceries. This is higher than the 7,219 euros spent by a family in Lombardia. The impact on household budgets is even more pronounced: food expenses consume 19% of family income in Campania, compared to just 11% in Lombardia and 10% in Trentino-Alto Adige.

The report attributes this disparity to several factors, including lower incomes, reduced competition among retailers, and a more fragile logistics network that increases transport and energy costs. While shoppers in cities like Milan can save up to 1,390 euros annually by choosing more competitive stores, the maximum potential savings in Naples is limited to 223 euros, with Caserta seeing savings of only 35 euros.