Italian farmers rally against collapsing olive oil and wheat prices

Thousands of farmers belonging to Coldiretti took to the streets in 13 Italian cities, including Rome, Bari, Bologna and Palermo, to protest what they describe as price‑gouging and speculation that have slashed the value of extra‑virgin olive oil by about 50% in a year and pushed wheat prices to an alleged 19 cents per kilogram. The demonstrators presented a manifesto demanding stronger inspections, the use of magnetic‑resonance and isotopic mapping to verify product origin, mandatory olive‑oil traceability, the end of zero‑tariff imports from Tunisia, and the suspension of the “trafficanti di perfezionamento attivo” (TPA) mechanism that they say fuels fraud.

Gennaro Sicolo, vice‑president of the Italian Farmers’ Confederation (CIA), warned that the collapse of farm incomes threatens the entire Italian cuisine, a UNESCO‑listed heritage, and called for a cultural campaign to promote Italian products. He criticised non‑EU countries for lower standards that give them a competitive edge, and urged the establishment of a minimum price that at least covers production costs for wheat and other crops. The protests aim to press the government to adopt measures that protect domestic agriculture and safeguard food safety.