Italy grocery prices rise 29.5% over five years

An investigation by Il Sole 24 Ore reveals that the cost of a representative weekly grocery basket in Italy has increased by 29.5% between July 2021 and July 2026. For a family with one child, a basket that cost 100 euros five years ago now requires 129.50 euros to purchase the same quantities of 31 essential products.

This food inflation significantly outpaces the general inflation rate, which stood at 21% over the same period. The most dramatic price hikes were observed in coffee (+51%), extra virgin olive oil (+47%), tomatoes (+45%), potatoes (+44%), and eggplant (+41%). Other notable increases include rice (+44%), eggs (+43%), and poultry (+33.7%).

Factors contributing to these rising costs include energy shocks following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, geopolitical tensions affecting fuel prices, extreme climate events impacting agriculture, and Italy's reliance on imported raw materials. The FAO food price index also reflects ongoing market fragility, reaching 131.1 points in July.

The rising costs are forcing Italian families to adjust their consumption habits. Data indicates that a significant portion of households have reported reducing both the quantity and quality of the food they purchase to manage their budgets.