Rome, 08 October 2025 — According to the latest figures released by Istat and reported by ANSA, while total consumer spending by Italian households remained broadly stable in 2024, over a third of families said they had curtailed their food spending.
Istat says more than 30% of households reported spending less on food, either by reducing quantities or opting for cheaper goods. Over 35% also said they had cut back on beverage purchases.
The average household monthly spending in 2024 was €2,755, virtually unchanged from €2,738 in 2023. However, there is a stark regional divide: households in the north-east spend on average €834 more per month than those in the southern regions.
These numbers suggest that many families, faced with economic pressures, are forced to trim essentials, even as headline consumption figures remain steady.
What’s driving cuts in food spending
While nominal spending held up, inflation has continued to erode purchasing power. According to Istat’s provisional data for September 2025, consumer prices are up 1.6% year-on-year. Prices for unprocessed food have risen 4.8% annually, though the monthly increase has softened. Processed food and beverages also recorded increases of around 3.0% over the past year.
Given these trends, households with constrained margins may choose to cut back on food quality or less essential food goods. The Coop 2025 Report, from Italy’s retail cooperative sector, notes that in a “perma-crisis” environment, Italians are returning their spending focus to essential goods like food, while cutting back on nonessential purchases.
