Lucrezia Ciotti The truckers' protest in Puglia is also beginning to have an impact on supermarkets , where empty shelves and delivery delays are being reported. Supply difficulties, linked to blockades and distribution disruptions, are rekindling attention on the repercussions of the protests on citizens' daily spending.
Empty shelves in many supermarkets: fruit and vegetables are starting to run low due to transport restrictions.
The supply crisis in Puglia isn't limited to gas stations, but is also affecting supermarkets. Photos circulating on social media and reports in the local press show shelves with missing products, while delivery difficulties are starting to impact the availability of some food items. Fresh produce , including fruit and vegetables , is particularly affected, as they require rapid transportation to reach stores in good condition.
The situation is particularly delicate in the Foggia area, where the disruptions were reported in conjunction with protests by truck drivers and farmers against high fuel prices.
The difficulties stem from a series of protests that are hindering the normal flow of supplies. On the one hand, truck drivers are protesting rising diesel costs and the companies' financial difficulties ; on the other, the blockade of access to the Eni refinery in Taranto , as part of the dispute over the former Ilva steelworks, has caused problems with fuel distribution.
Further complicating the movement of heavy vehicles are the presence of roadblocks along some roads, including those near the Candela toll booths on the A16 and Poggio Imperiale toll booths on the A14. This creates a chain of disruptions affecting transportation, supplies, and commercial activities.
From refineries to stores, why protests are putting pressure on the food supply chain
The impact on supermarkets highlights how dependent product distribution is on the regularity of road connections and fuel availability. If tankers are unable to refuel and goods trucks accumulate delays, logistics centers may also encounter difficulties meeting delivery schedules. Stores then have to rely on existing stocks, which aren't always sufficient to compensate for the lack of new shipments. The problem is particularly pressing for the agricultural sector: fruit and vegetables cannot remain unused for long periods during transport without risking a deterioration in quality.
Raffaele Drei, president of Confcooperative Agroalimentare, drew attention to this issue, calling for protection of the circulation of perishable goods. " Farmers and transporters are part of the same supply chain and should not be on opposing sides ," he told Ansa , emphasizing the need to prevent difficulties in one sector from translating into further damage for the other. Raffaella Altamura, president of Confesercenti Puglia, also highlighted the consequences of the blockades on the commercial network: " The blockage of connecting roads and the shortage of fuel inevitably affect shipments, deliveries, and the entire commercial chain ."
Regarding government demands, road haulage associations have urged action to address the rising diesel prices and the release of resources already earmarked to support businesses. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has convened a meeting with industry representatives scheduled for October 27 , while further demonstrations have been announced in several southern regions.
It remains to be seen how long the difficulties will continue to impact Apulian stores. Images of partially empty shelves document concrete problems in some supermarkets, but they do not allow us to quantify a shortage that extends across the entire region. The outcome will depend on the resumption of supplies, the ability to overcome the restrictions, and the recovery of backlogged deliveries.