World · Europe · 8 hrs ago
Fuel-cost protests in Foggia disrupt deliveries and threaten food supplies
Farmers and truckers have been protesting fuel costs in Italy’s Foggia area since October 12, including at an A14 motorway tollbooth.
They say high fuel prices add to other pressures, including costly farm inputs and low prices for crops.
One farmer says growing a hectare of wheat costs about €1,200 but brings in less than €1,000, leaving some farmers considering not planting.
The disruption is affecting deliveries, with some shops reporting shortages of fresh food and fuel stations running dry in affected towns.
A local baker says his flour may last only until the next day and that production could stop if supplies do not arrive.
Local officials and protesters are calling for action from Rome, and some agricultural businesses are considering taking their complaints to the capital.
Farmers and truck drivers have blockaded the A14 motorway tollbooth near Foggia, disrupting deliveries and raising concerns about food supplies.
The protest is against high fuel costs and wider economic pressures on agriculture and road transport.
A grocery store in Lucera reported shortages of fish, meat and fruit, while a baker said flour would last only until the next day.
Farmers say the cost of growing crops can exceed the income they receive, and some are considering leaving land uncultivated.
Protesters want direct access to institutional talks and recognition of professional fuel as a basic necessity.
- Who
- Farmers, olive growers and truck drivers are taking part in the protest.
- What
- They are demonstrating against high fuel costs and related economic pressures; the blockade has disrupted heavy-vehicle traffic and deliveries.
- When
- The protest at the A14 tollbooth was reported as beginning on Monday, 12 October. A sit-in was reported at 5 a.m. on 16 October.
- Where
- At the A14 tollbooth near Foggia, with reported effects in towns including Lucera.
- Why
- Protesters say fuel and other operating costs are making farming and transport increasingly difficult to sustain.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Farmers, olive growers and truck drivers began a protest at the A14 tollbooth.
A sit-in by farmers and truck drivers was reported at the tollbooth, with heavy vehicles stopped but cars allowed through.
About 5,000 people demonstrated in Cerignola against high fuel prices.
Mayors and local officials, including the president of the Province of Foggia, gathered in Poggio Imperiale.
- Location
- A14 tollbooth near Foggia
- Protest start
- Monday, 12 October
- Grain-growing cost
- €1,200 per hectare per year
- Wheat income
- Less than €1,000 per hectare, according to farmer Leonardo Di Stefano
- Cerignola demonstration
- About 5,000 people
- Bakery flour supply
- Enough until the next day, according to a baker in Lucera
4 sources
Il caro gasolio ferma i camion, il pane sta finendo e il contadino foggiano torna all’asino: la protesta bussa a Roma
L'asinella Susy alla protesta nel Foggiano, 'costa meno del gasolio'
Camionisti e agricoltori in strada: i supermercati speculano sui prezzi mentre noi rischiamo di chiudere
What people are saying
Our agriculture is collapsing. Perhaps she will be our future.
The flour will last until tomorrow. On Monday we will be forced to stop production of bread and related products.
We are alongside our producers, our farmers, the whole sector in distress.
Growing wheat on one hectare of land costs 1,200 euros a year. With an average yield of even 30 quintals per hectare, we take in about 800 euros.