Impepata or spaghettino, buying mussels is now worth it. After increases of 90% in the last 6 years, mussel prices are falling
Impepata or spaghetti, it’s the right time for a nice mussel-based dish. And perhaps, thanks to the good weather, enjoy it in a restaurant on the beach, facing the sea. After increases of around 90% in the last six years, the prices of tasty mussels are falling again. These are the data on the trend of food costs released weekly by ‘La Borsa della Spesa’, the service for Italian consumers created by BMTI and Italmercati Rete di Imprese, in collaboration with Consumerismo No Profit.
THE FISH MARKET AND THE MEAT
The purchase of mussels is particularly recommended. For this product the production season is going particularly well. Indeed, after the price increases of around 90% from 2018 to 2023 – due to the increase in production costs incurred by farmers – this year the first drops are starting to be recorded with an average price of around 2.70 euros/kg, compared to 3.00 euros/kg in 2023. Enter in life the season of anchovies with average prices around 3.00 euros/kg. They are plentiful and affordable in markets pink prawns whose average price is around 8.00 euros/kg, for the larger product.
And after the biological shutdown (which ended on March 31st) the capture of swordfish, especially in the Tyrrhenian Sea and Sicily. This week, the price recorded is around 15.00 euros/kg. For meats, continue stability phase for meat of the forequarters of veal, with prices ranging from 5.40 to 5.50 euros/kg. The prices of chicken legs are also regular, from 2.70 to 2.90 euros/kg.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
As for fruit, production in Lucania and in general throughout southern Italy is running out strawberries which, at the moment, are around 3.00 euros/kg. However, the production of Trentino has begun, which presents good quality and pieces from 6.00 to 7.00 euros/kg. Regular prices for lemons, from 1.30 to 1.50 euros / kg the Sicilian Bianchetto variety which is taking the place of the Primofiore. Still recommended i melons netted, whose Sicilian production is now supported by that of Lazio and Lombardy. Good quality, favored by the climate, and prices ranging from 1.50 euros/kg for the small caliber up to 2.20 euros/kg for the larger caliber. However, the prices of smooth melons are still high, from 2.50 to 3.00 euros/KG. Among the vegetables, this week the following are recommended tomatoes, whose prices have collapsed on average to 1.20 euros/kg for Piccadilly, below 2.00 euros/kg for Ciliegino and to 2.50 euros/kg for Datterino. The cause of these declines can be attributed to a drop in demand at a time when production is very abundant. The favorable climate is also increasing the production of cucumbers whose average price stands at 0.90 euro/kg. Aubergines are also plentiful and convenient, around 1.00 euros/kg.
