Coldiretti protests in Italy over olive oil and wheat price speculation

Farmers from the Coldiretti federation staged coordinated sit‑ins in front of prefectural offices in 13 Italian regional capitals, including Cagliari, Bari, Rome, Bologna, Naples, Palermo, Florence, Cosenza and others. Demonstrators demanded stronger controls on the origin and pricing of extra‑virgin olive oil and durum wheat, accusing “trafficanti” of speculative imports that depress farm gate prices. They highlighted that olive‑oil prices have fallen up to 50 % while production costs have risen, and that wheat is being paid as little as €0.19 per kilogram, well below harvesting costs. Delegations delivered manifestos to prefects calling for full enforcement of the law against unfair commercial practices, price floors above production costs, stricter port inspections, use of advanced traceability technologies (isotopic analysis, magnetic resonance), and an immediate €40 million fund to offset producer expenses. Meetings with prefects in Bari and other cities were reported, and the movement also seeks a ban on low‑priced foreign imports and the application of reciprocity rules for public‑sector procurement. The protests aim to protect farmer incomes, ensure food‑safety transparency and preserve the “Made in Italy” status of these staple products.