In March 2023, the average price of pasta was higher 17.5% compared to the previous year. A fact that seems difficult to explain, since during the same period the cost of durum wheat decreased, while energy and other factors necessary for production fluctuated, but not so much. Overall, inflation rose by just over half the price of pasta over the same period.

Therefore, the government decided to intervene: the Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, gave a mandate to the guarantor of price surveillance, Benedetto Mineo, to convene the early warning commission to better understand the dynamics that led to these increases. For the Commission, it is the first meeting since it was born in March this year with the transparency decree on fuel prices. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday 11 May at 2.30pm. The table also includes representatives of the administrations involved, trade and consumer associations and the authorities responsible for price management.

The government is considering reducing VAT on basic foodstuffs

Agriculture Minister Lollobrigida, being questioned in the Senate, said wheat prices are being monitored every week to assess the possibility of “speculation“, which “is the first thing that speaks against it”. The minister also declared his intention to “reactivate the national experimental commission for durum wheat as soon as possible, not excluding the creation of a single national commission to encourage dialogue between them strengthening the actors in the supply chain and for the formation of a common price at national level”.

The State Secretary for Business, Massimo Bitonci, was satisfied with the convening of the rapid warning commission: “In some cities the price is just under 2.5 euros per kilo, which is not affordable for our families, especially not for low earners. The pasta provides them Pillar of the Mediterranean diet and one of the best-selling Made in Italy products in the world. On May 11th, proposals to support consumers must also be discussed. VAT reduction for these products it could be an urgent initiative”.

The explanation of the noodle makers: “On the shelves now there are noodles that were made when the cost was higher”

Riccardo Felicetti, representative of pasta manufacturers in theItalian Food Uniondismissed the accusation that companies raise prices: “We have always been on the side of consumers and we will continue to be so,” he said, recalling that the price of pasta “depends on many factors. Wheat has too fluctuating prices and it is not the pasta industry that determines the durum wheat price, but the world market with international mechanisms and quotations”.

It’s true that the price in March was lower than a year ago, but “you have to consider that The noodles on the shelf today were made months agowith purchased durum wheat at the prices of even earlier times and with the energy costs of the height of the crisis”. supply chain”.

For his part, Coldiretti recalled that durum wheat for pasta is now paid in Italy at around 36 cents per kilo, a value that does not cover the cost of production and is more than 30% lower than in the same period last year, while the price of pasta is about twice as high risen sharply like inflation The situation would be then “an anomaly that should be clarified”.

Which cities have the most pasta: the Assoutenti ranking

Consumer association Assoutenti has created a map of expensive pasta, listing the capitals with the highest and lowest prices. In the first place there is anconaat 2.44 euros per kilo, followed by Modena (2.41 euros per kilo), Cagliari (2.40 euros per kilo), Bologna (2.39 euros per kilo) and Genoa (2.38 euros per kilo).

On the contrary, the prices are lower a Cosenza, at 1.48 euros per kilo. Then there are Palermo and Syracuse (1.50 euros). Compared to the previous year, the record growth was in Siena, where increases amounted to 1.37 euros per kilo in twelve months. According to Assoutenti, the national average price is 2.13 euros per kilo.