Italy’s pasta industry is facing major production disruptions as truck drivers protesting soaring fuel prices and living costs block deliveries to factories, leaving some manufacturers without the raw materials needed to operate.
Pasta maker Rummo, based in the southern Campania region, said on Tuesday it had suspended production after running out of ingredients. Chief Executive Officer Cosimo Rummo told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that almost all major pasta producers in neighbouring Puglia were experiencing similar difficulties, raising concerns that much of the country’s pasta production could grind to a halt.
La Molisana, another major producer based in Molise, has also been forced to sharply reduce output. The company said it was relying on existing stocks of raw materials, including wheat and semolina, to sustain operations as deliveries remained disrupted.
The protests began last week, with truck drivers blocking roads, motorways and ports across Sicily and southern Italy. The action has disrupted the movement of agricultural produce and industrial supplies, with Campania, Puglia and Sicily among the regions most affected. Together, these areas form the heartland of Italy’s pasta manufacturing industry.
The disruption is also spreading beyond factories. Supermarkets in parts of southern Italy have reported shortages of fresh food, while motorists have faced queues and fuel shortages at petrol stations. Agricultural groups have warned that continued transport blockages could force producers in Sicily to destroy large quantities of perishable goods if they cannot reach markets in time.
The dispute reflects mounting pressure on road hauliers from rising operating costs, particularly fuel. Drivers have argued that higher expenses are making transport increasingly difficult to sustain, prompting demands for government assistance.
Italy’s government has pledged additional financial support for the sector. Deputy Infrastructure Minister Edoardo Rixi said on Tuesday that a package worth more than €150 million, equivalent to about $168 million, would soon be made available to road hauliers. The government is also considering tougher security measures following unrest in northern Italian cities over inflation and the cost of living.
The stakes extend beyond individual manufacturers. Italy’s pasta supply chain generated €13.5 billion in revenue last year, according to a report by the European House-Ambrosetti research group. Prolonged disruption could affect producers, farmers, retailers and exporters, while shortages may push consumers towards alternative products or imported supplies.
Industry representatives have warned that the longer the blockades continue, the greater the risk of widespread production stoppages and damage across the food supply chain. The immediate outlook depends on whether negotiations and government support can restore deliveries before manufacturers exhaust their remaining inventories.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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