Italy

The Italian economy is known for its large prosperity and development difference between the north and the south. The reasons are mainly related to the historical development, geographical location and the environment. The north is the more prosperous of these two areas because it has the best farmland, the main port (Genoa) and the largest industrial centers.

 

The main agricultural products are fruits, sugar beets, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, soybeans, olives and olive oil, and livestock (mainly cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats). Italy also produces a lot of wine. There is a small fishing industry and the Adriatic Sea has an important role herein.

 

Food prices in small rural towns throughout Italy are lower than in major cities like Milan, Rome or Florence. Geography plays an important role in the price difference in Italy. Vegetables, meat and dairy products in Italy are produced domestically and shipped from the countryside to the cities. In urban areas, you are not only paying the general urban cost of living inflation but also the storage and transportation costs of bringing the food in.

The best prices are found at the morning markets and near closing time, when vendors often give out bags with 10 large pieces of fruit for around €1,-. One-pound packages of dry pasta cost less than €1,- in a local grocery store but can reach up to €10,- or more in tourist shops.

In Italy you will spend around 120 - 200 euro’s a month per person at the grocery store. That includes food, household items and toiletries.

 

References:

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/food-prices-italy-25378.html

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/cost-living-italy

http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itali%C3%AB#Economie