Rising raw material prices “are currently one of the main problems for the food industry as well,” says Ivano Vacondio, president of Federalimentare (the association that brings together Italian food industries). “This is why it is necessary to protect our companies. The increase in prices of Food & Beverage products that will occur shortly will be inevitable”.
The alarm is supported by the latest ISTAT data on the turnover of the sector, which increased by +5.7% in the first 8 months of 2021. In the same period, the production also increased: +5.3%. Sales grew by +1.1% in value, and +1.2% in volume.
In spite of the excellent production and export figures recorded during 2021, the situation of the F&B sector is currently difficult. It requires a rapid overcoming, on the one hand of the anomalies of the supply chain, and on the other of the international speculations that feed the current logistic distortions. The risk is to erase the advantages associated with the post-pandemic recovery phase and expansion of GDP and markets.
“The situation has become unsustainable – says Vacondio – and I don’t think the lack of supply of the raw material will end any time soon. In fact, it is not only due to excess demand but to lack of supply. Without forgetting the disproportionate increase in the cost of all raw materials (starting with electricity, which has more than doubled), packaging, expensive freight, and containers that penalize the sector. The situation is very serious and everyone must do their part, starting with all the players in the supply chain”.