Rome, 10 September 2025 – After two months of stability, food prices in Italy rose by 0.4% in August, ISTAT reported. That marks a 1.4% increase since January and a 4% rise year-on-year compared with August 2024, up from July’s 3.7%.
The renewed growth is largely due to processed foods, which rose 0.7% in August, after a smaller 0.3% increase in July. By contrast, unprocessed foods slipped slightly (-0.1%), continuing the decline seen in July (-0.6%).
Long-term picture: 30.1% higher than 2019
The current surge follows an earlier shock: an abrupt rise in late 2021 and early 2023, then sustained though slower growth. This pattern pushed consumer prices for food and non-alcoholic drinks 30.1% above the 2019 average by July 2025.
Italy’s increase, while sharp, is below the EU27 average of +39.2%. Among major euro area countries, the food prices rose:
- Germany: +40.3%
- Spain: +38.2%
- France: +27.5%
Impact on the shopping basket
Food inflation is weighing heavily on household budgets. The shopping basket index – covering food, household, and personal care goods, and accounting for 88.5% of all items – grew 3.5% year-on-year in August, up from 3.2% in July.
This acceleration has widened the inflation gap between the shopping basket and the overall index, which is influenced by energy costs. The gap grew from 0.2 percentage points in March 2025 to 1.9 points in August.
Quick Summary
- Food prices rose 0.4% in August 2025 after two months of stability.
- Year-to-date: +1.4%. Year-on-year: +4% vs August 2024.
- Processed foods: +0.7% in August. Unprocessed foods: -0.1%.
- Since 2019: +30.1% in Italy (EU27: +39.2%).
- Germany: +40.3%
- Spain: +38.2%
- France: +27.5%
- Shopping basket inflation: +3.5% in August, up from 3.2% in July.
- Gap with overall index: widened to 1.9 percentage points due to energy trends.
