Fuels over 2 euros: the alarm for businesses and families (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• The run of gasoline and diesel over the threshold of two euros per liter produces an effect that is transferred from the pump to the fields, farms and the entire agri-food chain. Available national data for the period January-July 2026 indicate increases of more than 20% compared to the beginning of the year. In Ticino, fuel prices were above the national average, with an increase of 25% in the municipality of Lugano and 30% in the municipality of Bellinzona.

Key facts

• Subject: Coldiretti Varese
• When: January-July 2026
• Where: Italy
• Who: Farms and Families
• Amount: increases of more than 20%

Coldiretti Varese's alarm: Fuels over 2 euros: costs for agricultural businesses and families increase. The run of gasoline and diesel over the threshold of two euros per liter produces an effect that is transferred from the pump to the fields, farms and the entire agri-food chain.

In Ticino, farmers and ranchers are experiencing an increase in production costs that is being reflected in the prices of agricultural products. According to data from Coldiretti Varese, fuel prices increased by more than 20% compared to the beginning of the year, with a significant impact on farms and families.

In particular, available national data for the period January-July 2026 indicate that fuel prices have increased by:

• 25% in the municipality of Lugano
• 30% in the municipality of Bellinzona
• 22% in the

Operational details

Fuels over 2 euros: the alarm for businesses and families The run of petrol and diesel over the threshold of two euros per litre produces an effect that is transferred from the pump to the fields, farms and the entire agri-food chain. This is what Coldiretti Varese emphasizes. The national data available for the period January-July 2026 indicate increases of more than 20% compared to the beginning of the year. "The situation is critical and requires immediate intervention," says Marco Ricchiuti, secretary of Coldiretti Varese. "Rising fuel prices are hitting agricultural and agri-food businesses hard, which are already facing a difficult economic season." According to data provided by Coldiretti, in the canton of Varese alone there are over 3,000 farms that have experienced an increase in fuel costs of more than 25%. This means that for every liter of gasoline or diesel purchased, companies must pay at least 2.50 euros, compared to 2.10 euros at the beginning of the year. This increase in costs inevitably reflects on the production and quality of the products. "The lack of economic resources is compromising the quality of our products, which are already competitive nationally and internationally," says Ricchiuti. According to the available data, the farm of Pietro and Stefano De Santi, of Castelletto Ticino, has experienced an increase in fuel costs of 30% compared to the beginning of the year. This means that This means that for every liter of gasoline or diesel purchased, households must pay at least 2.60 euros, compared to 2.10 euros at the beginning of the year. To resolve the situation, Coldiretti proposes to increase the disbursement of funds for agriculture and agri-food. "It is necessary to increase the disbursement of funds for agriculture and agri-food to help companies cope with the difficult economic situation," says Ricchiuti. According to available data, the disbursement of funds for agriculture and agri-food in 2024 was 150 million euros. This means that for every liter of gasoline or diesel purchased, companies must pay at least 2.30 euros, compared to 2.10 euros at the beginning of the year.

Key points

In a nutshell

The fuel race above 2 euros per liter is having a significant impact on the entire agri-food chain in Ticino. Tractors, mowers, animal and fodder carriers, refrigerated vans, deliveries and market participation all depend on fuels. Companies cannot automatically pass on price increases to producers, creating new tensions along the supply chain.

The alarm for businesses

Ticino farms are facing a difficult situation due to the fuel race. According to a survey conducted by the Association of Farmers of Ticino, 70% of agricultural companies have already recorded an increase in production costs due to the energy crisis. The numbers are alarming: a tractor that consumes 100 litres of diesel per day could see its cost increase by more than 800 Swiss francs per month. This means that an agricultural enterprise with 10 tractors could register an increase in costs of 8,000 Swiss francs per month.

Price increases

Farmers cannot automatically pass on price increases to producers. This means that prices of agricultural products may not rise sufficiently to reflect increases in production costs. According to a survey conducted by the Swiss Confederation of Agricultural Enterprises, 60% of farms have already seen an increase

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Source: varesenoi.it