Italian consumers collectively spent €3 billion on food and drink over the Christmas period, showing a clear preference for traditional cuisine and locally-sourced products, new data has shown.
According to estimates from Italian farmers’ association Coldiretti, 91% of Italian consumer spent Christmas at home or with relatives and friends, with most families opting for a menu based on domestic and local products.
Spend By Category
Coldiretti estimated total Christmas spend of around €1 billion on fish, meat, and cured meats; €650 million on sparkling wine, wine, and other beverages; and €350 million on desserts, including panettone, pandoro, and other baked goods.
Additionally, €600 million was spent on vegetables, preserves, and fresh and dried fruit; €200 million on pasta and bread; and the same amount on cheese and eggs.
Confectionery topped the list of products Italians consumed most during the Christmas holidays, with 70% of households opting for sweet products, according to a Coldiretti/Ixè survey.
This was followed by dried fruit (53%), sparkling wine (53%), wine (42%), fish (40%), and meat (39%). Cured meats were consumed by 29% of Italians, the data showed.
Tackling Food Waste
With nearly two in three Italians believing it is very important to reduce food waste – especially during the holidays – some 84% of families served leftovers on 26 December.
According to Coldiretti, each Italian throws away 556 grams of food per week, predominantly fruit and vegetables. The five most wasted products are fresh fruit, followed by vegetables, fresh bread, salad, and onions, garlic, or root vegetables.
Dining and Cooking