After months from the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the prices still rising up, this is the situation at the moment
Price increase is not a recent problem in our country, since numerous months have begun a controversial topic of discussion. If until a few months ago the situation appeared to be under control, in this day and age, considering the recent analysis, it seems that there is not a point of return if the situation will be the same. Who are the victims of the price increase?
There is not a unique answer for this question because, even if in different forms, there are more figures involved. Producers and suppliers were the first to create alarmism due to their radical changes. Different is the situation for the customers that had to cope with the price increase later.
ISTAT data estimate that 13% of Italians have recently changed their food habits, choosing low cost products instead of famous brands. The sharp increase in prices has resulted in a new way of shopping, nowadays 51% of the population buy only essential goods, without spending money for extra products.
At this point the figures involved are not only producers, suppliers and customers but also dependent workers from the same area. According to ISTAT data, 10% of the agri-food industry is forced to close, while 34% have a negative balance sheet. Subsequently this precarious situation, a lot of dependent workers had lost their jobs because of the low gains recently recorded. If the situation continues, the future of workers will be harder than now.
The latest data from Coldiretti
Percentages out of order were shared from Coldiretti during the past days, with an increment more than double from the price base of the products, for example fertilized and feedingstuffs, recorded respectively +170% and +90%, or diesel fuel with +129%.
Regarding packaging material, plastic is at the first position with 70% more than a few months ago, followed by paper 45% and food label 35%.
With a lower percentage there are mineral water (+11%), fruit juice (+10%) and carbonated soft drinks (+7%).
How to combat price increases, will the measures taken by Italy be enough?
The Italian government, as other countries from the European Union, has promoted direct measures for families and industries during this difficult period. For vulnerable people, with a lower salary, the government has offered them some bonus for electricity and gas bills, has reduced fuel VAT tax for lorry drivers and transporters, while other industrial productions have received some advantages for gas and electricity expenses.
But even with these subsidies the situation is still delicate and the main concern of Italians remains that they can no longer cope with the rise in prices following the war.