Italy espresso prices rise 24% over five years

A new study by the Centro di formazione e ricerca sui consumi (CRC), in collaboration with Assoutenti, reveals that the average price of an espresso in Italy has risen to 1.29 euros, marking a 24.2% increase since 2021.

Regional price disparities are significant. Bolzano is the most expensive city with an average price of 1.51 euros, followed by Pescara at 1.49 euros. Conversely, Messina remains the most affordable at 1.06 euros. Several provinces, including Ravenna, Trieste, and Parma, have seen prices exceed the 1.40 euro threshold.

Significant price hikes over the last five years were recorded in Pescara (+49%), Parma (+41%), Bari (+39.5%), and Naples (+37.8%). In contrast, cities like Aosta (+6.7%) and Cagliari (~15%) experienced more moderate increases.

Furio Truzzi, chairman of the CRC scientific committee, noted that these increases do not appear to be driven solely by record-high raw coffee commodity prices, as Robusta and Arabica prices have recently seen fluctuations or declines. Instead, rising energy and management costs for bar operators are cited as primary drivers being passed on to consumers.