Southern Italy trucker protest empties shelves as supply chains stall

A six-day trucker protest in southern Italy has paralyzed supply chains, leaving warehouses full but store shelves empty, with estimated damages already reaching 50 million euros. Supermarkets in Naples have posted signs warning customers of missed deliveries, while shops on Ischia and Procida are nearly bare. The blockade has halted production at pasta factories in Gragnano and Campobasso due to a lack of semolina, and forced Stellantis to stop the second shift at its Atessa plant. Perishable goods in refrigerated warehouses risk losing value or being destroyed, with shortages of fruit, vegetables, and fresh milk reported in Cosenza. Coldiretti notes that 85% of goods for large retailers travel by road, making the system highly vulnerable to prolonged disruption. Pharmaceutical distributors assure medicine supplies continue but fear for the upcoming flu vaccine campaign, while industries like automotive, chemicals, and packaging face risks from missing components.