Italy's pasta output halts as trucker protests block raw materials

Italy's pasta production is grinding to a halt as trucker protests in the south, driven by soaring fuel and living costs, block raw material deliveries to factories, raising fears of shortages on shelves. Pasta maker Rummo in Campania suspended production Tuesday due to exhausted supplies, with CEO Cosimo Rummo saying most major producers in Puglia face similar issues, meaning the majority of Italy's pasta output has stopped or is near a standstill. The protests have also caused food and fuel shortages, with Rome's main wholesale market reporting gaps in tomatoes and peppers. The government has pledged over €150 million in support for transporters, while producers in Sicily risk destroying perishable goods.