Italy transport and agriculture protests ease following government aid

Protests by truck drivers and farmers across Southern Italy, including Calabria, Puglia, Sicily, and Campania, have largely subsided following a government decree allocating €175.2 million to combat rising fuel costs. The package includes €105.2 million for road transport, €60 million for agriculture, and €10 million for fisheries.

The blockades had caused significant logistical disruptions, leading to empty supermarket shelves and fuel shortages in several regions. Authorities in Salerno and other provinces reported using police escorts to secure corridors for essential goods, including food and medicine. While supply chains are recovering, experts estimate it will take five to seven days to fully restore normal stock levels.

Despite the easing of truck blockades, tensions remain high in other sectors. Taxi and private hire drivers are mobilizing in protest against high fuel prices, with potential strikes being discussed. Additionally, some agricultural groups continue to demand structural changes to address the gap between rising production costs and low sale prices.