More ice cream is being eaten in Italy due to the ongoing heat wave. However, the prices for the Italian dessert have risen sharply compared to the previous year.
Temperatures in Italy had already climbed to over 30 degrees in mid-May. An African high-pressure area called “Hannibal” has been causing a sustained heat wave ever since. According to meteorologists, this weather situation is actually typical for the months of June and July and can cause long periods of heat.
According to the Coldiretti agricultural association, more ice cream is currently being eaten in Italy due to the high temperatures – although the prices for it have recently risen significantly. In May, ice cream in a croissant or cup was around eleven percent more expensive than the same period last year, the association said on Sunday, citing data from the statistical office.
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The Coldiretti experts attributed the increase to the fact that the approximately 39,000 ice cream parlors in Italy spent more on energy, milk, sugar and eggs, which is also due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. According to Coldiretti, the Italian ice cream market grew by 19.5 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year. The association hopes that the trend with returning tourists after the difficult Corona seasons will continue this year.
The prices for ice cream are also increasing in this country. Annalisa Carnio, spokeswoman for the Association of Italian Ice Cream Producers, Uniteis e. V., confirms the trend to the “Hamburger Abendblatt”. Prices of two euros per ball are not unusual, especially in big cities. In addition to the higher prices for the ingredients, according to Carnio, the rents for the ice cream parlor owners have also increased. Added to this are increased personnel costs.
In Italy, locals and holidaymakers must have worked up a sweat on Pentecost Sunday. Peak values of just under 40 Celsius were expected locally, such as around Palermo in Sicily or Cagliari in Sardinia. The Ministry of Health has issued a heat warning for five cities, including Rome and Perugia – meaning even healthy people could face negative physical effects. The experts advised avoiding busy places and only staying outside in the morning and evening.
Sources: German Press Agency, “Der Standard”, “Hamburger Abendblatt”
