Thirty Calabrian farmers will be in front of Montecitorio on October 21st to participate in the national mobilization of Cia-Italian Farmers, which began on October 13th with the slogan “The numbers don’t add up”. At the center of the protest, the drop in prices paid to producers, the increase in business costs and increasingly burdensome food costs for families. The Cia Calabria delegation will be led by the regional president Nicodemo Podella, together with the three provincial presidents Borruto, Milone and Pignataro. The Calabrian producers will join the delegations from Abruzzo, Umbria and Basilicata, for a total presence of 130 farmers on October 21st. The Confederation is asking for answers on the high cost of fuel, the increase in technical means and the low remuneration of production. For Calabrian companies, the defense of income is also linked to the protection of employment, local production and rural and internal areas.
Falling agricultural prices and more expensive food
According to data reported by Cia in the national press release, in September inflation reached 4.2%, while fresh food prices increased by 5.5% compared to the same period in 2025. The Confederation reports, however, strong reductions in the prices paid to farmers: minus 50% for extra virgin olive oil, minus 30% for plums, minus 25% for apricots and table grapes, minus 24% for milk spot, minus 22% for peaches and pears, minus 15% for apples and minus 5% for chicken. The national president Cristiano Fini underlines how the effects of conflicts and climate change add to the economic difficulties of businesses. For Cia, the crisis concerns the entire community, because it involves the availability of food, environmental protection and the protection of territories.
From field to table, the price gap
The Confederation’s findings highlight consistent differences between origin and retail prices. In September, carrots went from 0.28 euros per kilo in the field to 1.46 euros for consumption, with a gap of 421%. For table grapes the comparison is between 0.58 and 2.99 euros per kilo, equal to 416%.
Aubergines went from 0.62 to 2.75 euros per kilo, peaches from 0.74 to 2.88 euros and peppers from 0.92 to 3.15 euros. Significant differences are also indicated for Abate pears, courgettes and romaine lettuce.
The percentages express the distance between the agricultural price and the consumer price, which is affected by the different steps in the supply chain. CIA calls for addressing imbalances by monitoring prices, combating unfair practices and strengthening the bargaining power of producers.
The weight of diesel and fertilizers
The increase in operating expenses is added to the contraction in revenues. In the comparison between August 2026 and the previous summer, Cia reports increases of 40% for agricultural fuels and 12% for fertilizers. Compared to 2021, according to the press release, agricultural diesel went from a range of 0.48-0.70 euros per liter to 1.50-1.70 euros. In the same period, fertilizers and fertilizers recorded increases of between 40% and 100%, depending on the types. For families, the Confederation reports increases of 27% for automotive diesel, 16% for petrol and 9% for housing, water, electricity and gas. Hence the request for an alliance between farmers and citizens to defend incomes and purchasing power.
Requests to the Government
Cia calls for measures to strengthen production aggregations and the role of inter-professions, monitor prices, combat unfair commercial practices and enhance Made in Italy and the short supply chain. On the cost front, it asks to refinance the tax credit on agricultural diesel, indicated as being stopped in May, and to allow the use of resources already allocated for fertilizers also against other production increases. The requests also include the refinancing of Agriculture 4.0, to support innovation and investments.
Claims that the Calabrian delegation will bring before Parliament on 21 October. «We are not asking for privileges: we are asking that the accounts add up, for those who produce and for those who consume», Fini reiterates.