Seed oil, butter, pasta and flour. But also ferries, car rentals, hotel rates and vacation packages. In May, retail prices registered record increases, which weigh on the pockets of Italians. But the heaviest blow concerns international air tickets which – according to Assoutenti’s calculations on Istat data – recorded an increase of 103.3% compared to the previous year. It is not much better for electricity, which rose by + 73.5%, nor for seed oil (+ 70.2%), gas (+ 66.3%).
The service sector is also marked by significant price increases: in addition to international flights, as mentioned, Assoutenti reports increases for ferries (+ 22.7%), car rental (+ 22.1%), domestic flights (+21 , 4%), driving lessons, exams, driving licenses (+ 16.1%). Increases in price lists also in the tourism sector: in view of the summer season, the rates of hotels, motels, pensions increase by + 14.1%, international holiday packages by + 8.6%.
“The price situation in Italy is out of control and to find such high inflation it is necessary to go back 36 years – explains the president Furio Truzzi -. Due to the price increases that have hit the pockets of Italians and with this level of inflation, a family of 4 finds themselves spending about 2,753 euros more on an annual basis in 2022 ”. Just to eat, and as a consequence of the increases in the food sector (+ 7.5% in May) a nucleus is forced to spend 562 euros more per year.
Against high prices and to push the government to take action to protect consumption and purchasing power, consumer associations will take to the streets on 10 June for the joint demonstration “Protest of empty pots”, which will be held at 11 with gatherings and garrisons in Rome and in all the regional capitals in front of the Prefectures.
The Associations will present a platform for interventions to calm prices and fight speculation, asking the government to include consumer representatives among the social partners to discuss the fight against energy poverty, support for families and the most vulnerable, on determination and price surveillance, tax burdens.