Puglia, coi blocchi del trasporto a rischio la filiera del grano

Protests and road blocks in Puglia, Italy's main grain-producing region, are jeopardizing the continuous production of the grain industry supply chain, a key pillar of Italy's Made in Italy agro-food industry. The protests involve truck drivers who have blocked major roads and highways, paralyzing the flow of goods, including grain, to mills, flour mills, and food industries.

President of Italmopa, Vincenzo Martinelli, has alerted the Foggia Prefect and the Minister of Internal Affairs, denouncing the "absolute emergency" caused by the unauthorized, spontaneous blocking of heavy vehicles on Puglia's territory. The protests are driven by the rising fuel costs, a matter already addressed, even though most grain milling companies have adjusted the transport price to cover the increase in fuel prices (fuel surcharge).

Mills, pasta producers, and other linked industries have been halted for days or are rapidly running out of supplies. The lack of pasta, bread, and sweets on store shelves in the coming days is a concrete risk, warns Martinelli. Italy's primary producer of durum wheat, Puglia, supplies a significant portion of semolina needed for pasta, pan, and confectionery industries.

The continuation of the production cycles of mills depends on the regular supply of durum wheat and the timely delivery of the ground product for the production of pasta, pan, and confectionery. The prolonged situation puts numerous plants at risk of shutdown, with inevitable consequences for downstream sectors, such as processing, artisan, and industrial industries.

Puglia is the main Italian region for hard wheat production and milling capacity, supplying semolina to a significant part of the national food industry. Prolonged blockades in the region cannot be considered a local issue, as it would have severe consequences for the entire grain-pasta supply chain. Economic damages for businesses linked to the halted transport and delays in unloading and moving grain at ports are imminent, with additional costs for extended ship stays.

While respecting the right of any category to express its demands, indiscriminate road blocks are unacceptable to Martinelli, as they jeopardize the productivity of an entire productive sector and the country's food security. He calls on the relevant institutions to intervene urgently to restore free movement of goods and ensure safe transport lanes for agro-food industry vehicles.