Diesel fuel for agriculture is also more expensive: the peak in Sicily. Coldiretti presents a complaint

Coldiretti presents a complaint to the Public Prosecutor's Office of Rome and to the Financial Police to request a thorough investigation into possible speculative maneuvers on the price of agricultural diesel, with a request to ascertain any responsibilities and take action against those responsible for the crime of speculative maneuvers on goods as provided for by Article 501-bis of the Penal Code (which punishes speculative maneuvers on goods, ed.).

The initiative, signed by President Ettore Prandini and Secretary General Vincenzo Gesmundo, arises following the rapid increase recorded in recent days in the price of subsidized agricultural diesel, which has risen in about a week from around 0.85 euros per liter to values that in some cases reach 1.25 euros per liter, with peaks reported especially in Sicily and Puglia. With a trend that will see further increases in the coming days.

According to Coldiretti, this is an anomalous and disproportionate increase compared to the general trend of the fuel market. In the same period, in fact, the price of diesel for road use in Italy has recorded a much more contained increase, estimated between 18 and 19 cents per liter, while for agricultural diesel the increase is between 40 and 45 cents per liter.

A dynamic that, according to the agricultural organization, finds no apparent justification in the variations of international prices or in the trend of the fuel market, and that due to the magnitude of the phenomenon suggests speculative conduct carried out on a large scale, in a sector - that of fuels - characterized by a strong capacity for mutual influence among operators.

The agricultural diesel, Coldiretti reminds us, is indeed an essential and irreplaceable production factor for the activities of agricultural enterprises.

The complaint comes after the letter sent to the government on Friday, in which an urgent meeting was requested to address the surge in diesel and energy costs in light of international tensions, highlighting the risk of cascading effects on the entire agri-food supply chain.