South Tyrolean protest grows, blocks and shelves empty

Protesters blocking truck traffic in southern Italy have caused empty supermarket shelves in Naples and Bari, according to reports. The demonstrations, led by truck drivers protesting high fuel prices, have disrupted supply chains and affected fresh produce distribution. Supermarkets in parts of Campania, Calabria, and Sicily are beginning to see empty shelves, with perishable goods particularly impacted. The protests have spread across multiple regions, including blockades at the Port of Naples and Sicilian ports. Roadblocks have increased in Calabria, while demonstrators have gathered near Potenza in Basilicata and outside the Puglia regional office in Bari. Regional leaders are preparing meetings to address the situation. In Naples, the regional president announced plans for discussions with other southern Italian regions before meeting with truck drivers directly. Transport unions demand a 15 percent increase in freight rates or face a total blockade. Some Sicilian truck drivers have indicated readiness to lift their strike. Meanwhile, business groups warn of potential economic damage if the disruptions continue. Confcommercio estimates losses of up to 50 million euros in Sicily alone due to halted deliveries over five days of protest. Confcooperative has called for ensuring passage of perishable goods, noting risks of food waste and harm to agricultural businesses. Confagricoltura warns that thousands of products could be stranded at farms, leading to losses and empty supermarket shelves. The Consortium for the Protection of IGP Pachino Tomato, one of the hardest-hit producers, says tons of tomatoes remain unpicked due to delivery difficulties. In Gioia Tauro, kiwi growers are expressing frustration after initial sympathy for the truckers turned into anger as harvests cannot wait.