Food, energy prices drag Italy toward record inflation

Food and energy prices are dragging Italy toward a record 6.8% inflation rate, the highest level since joining the common Euro currency in 1999.

The prices of fish, wheat, electricity and fuel are raising as a result of increasing costs across all sectors of the production and distribution chain.

Marco Aureli, farmer and owner of a fruit and vegetable stall, said he still manages to balance the increased prices of raw materials as he produces in-house the fruit he sells.

According to EUROSTAT, in the four main economies of the Euro area, prices reached record figures in March: 7.6% in Germany, 5.1% in France, 6.8% in Italy and 9.8% in Spain.