ROME, Sept 8 (Reuters) – The Italian government said on Friday it had achieved some cooperation from producer associations in the fight against rising prices, although the final say on binding commitments remains in the hands of individual companies.
High inflation is a headache for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, which has agreed with supermarket chains and small retailers on measures to cap prices on essential products from October to December.
The consumer goods industry associations, which include pasta maker Barilla, dairy group Granarolo and confectionery maker Ferrero, said in a statement that they would ask member companies to consider individually whether they want to join the Rome campaign.
“I am very satisfied,” Industry Minister Adolfo Urso told the press after a meeting with the producer associations Centromarca, Federalimentare, Ibc and Unione Italiana Food.
Sources close to the government’s plans told Reuters on August 3 that Rome was seeking support from industry groups.
Representatives of Italian manufacturers agreed with Urso on a memorandum of understanding in which they stated that they will fully inform their members about any initiatives developed by the government to intensify the fight against inflation.
“Companies that individually agree to promote such initiatives will make proposals to major retailers,” the associations added in a statement.
