Truckers' protests disrupt freight operations, fresh produce supplies in Italy

By Seyma Erkul Dayanc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Truckers' protests over rising diesel prices continued across southern Italy on Tuesday, disrupting freight operations and slowing fresh produce deliveries to Rome, Italian public broadcaster Rai News reported.

The protests halted operations at the Interporto Sud Europa freight terminal between Marcianise and Maddaloni, in the southern province of Caserta, as a long line of trucks blocked access to the logistics hub.

Fruit and vegetable deliveries from southern Italy to Rome have also slowed, according to the Rome Agri-Food Center Observatory.

The observatory said reduced supplies of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and grapes had pushed up wholesale prices.

It added that reliance on imports was increasing to compensate for shortages.

Deputy Transport Minister Edoardo Rixi said the government had begun releasing €480 million ($538 million) in contributions to the road haulage sector.

Rixi said the funds covered applications received by Aug. 30, while additional financing would be provided for September and October.

He added that the tax credit would be paid in 2027.

"We've released around €1 billion ($1.12 billion)," Rixi said after a meeting with transport associations in Milan attended by Transport Minister Matteo Salvini.

He said the government had also allocated more than €150 million ($168 million) to support road haulage companies through tax credits and measures linked to the EU's emissions trading system.

"The requests are justified, but the roadblocks cannot be allowed indefinitely," Rixi said, calling for an end to the blockades.

Truck drivers and farmers have staged protests across southern Italy, including in Puglia, Sicily, Molise, and Calabria, demanding government action over rising fuel costs.

The Sicilian Transport Committee said its protest remained limited to the island's ports and the movement of semi-trailers from ships.

The committee said it would end its action once Salvini formally signed the commitments required to release the funds.

Şeyma Erkul Dayanç