The study

High fuel prices, rising fresh food prices

According to Assoutenti, high fuel prices push up prices for fresh produce transported by road: aubergines +21.5%, peas +19.6%, berries +16.3%, courgettes +11.1%, lemons +10.8% and strawberries +10.4%

by Rome Editorial Staff

19 April 2026

Consumi, per alimentare 3 italiani su 4 preferiscono negozi all'online

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Indian aubergines leading the increases
Zucchini, lemons and strawberries among the most expensive products
Not only food: flights and pellets go up
Assoutenti's warning

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The high fuel price is once again affecting the spending of households and particularly affects fresh foodstuffs, i.e. those that are transported by road and are directly affected by the trend in fuel prices.

This was reported by Assoutenti, which carried out a study based on Istat data to find out which goods were most affected by the fuel price hikes linked to the situation in the Middle East.

Melanzane leading the increases

Among foodstuffs, the strongest rise was in aubergines, which recorded an average year-on-year increase of 21.5% in the last month. Right behind them are peas, up 19.6%, and berry fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants, which are up 16.3%.

Consumi, per alimentare 3 italiani su 4 preferiscono negozi all'online

Zucchini, lemons and strawberries among the most expensive products

Also on the list of price risers are courgettes, up 11.1%, lemons 10.8% and strawberries 10.4%. Pulses, up 9.9%, and tomatoes, up 9%, were also on the rise.

Increases also for meat, eggs and vegetables

The price increases do not only concern fruit and vegetables. According to Assoutenti, artichokes (+8.8%), eggs (+8.5%) and beef (+8.4%) are also on the rise. Sheep meat grew by 7.2%, the same as cauliflowers and broccoli. Smaller, but still significant, increases were recorded for citrus fruit (+6.6%) and peppers (+6.4%).

Not only food: flights and pellets go up too

The price increase does not only affect the food sector. Among non-food goods, Assoutenti reports very heavy price increases for jewellery, which rose by an average of 33.5% year-on-year in the last month, driven by gold prices. Also on the rise were domestic flights, which were up 12.6%, due to the combined effect of Easter and the increase in jet fuel. European flight tickets, on the other hand, increased by 6%.

Firewood and pellets were also more expensive, rising by 8.2 per cent, while courier and parcel services rose by 6.5 per cent.

Assoutenti's alarm

According to the president of Assoutenti, Gabriele Melluso, the fuel escalation is weighing on food prices, which has aggravated transport costs, especially for fresh products distributed by road along the Peninsula. For this reason, the association argues, the government should extend the cut in excise duties on petrol and diesel until the end of the emergency, while keeping a watchful eye on any speculation or abnormal price trends.