Empty shelves were reported at the Eurospin supermarket in Mosta on Monday as Malta felt the knock-on effects of widespread fuel protests paralysing southern Italy, where truckers have been blocking ports and major highways over soaring diesel prices. Shoppers in Mosta found aisles stripped of fresh produce, particularly fruit, vegetables and other perishable goods, a scene that mirrored images coming from across the Sicilian Channel where supermarket supplies have been severely disrupted for days. The disruption stems from a coordinated action by haulage groups, including Sicilian committees, who have since last week blocked access to the commercial port of Naples and staged road blockades in Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia and Sicily to demand government relief for fuel costs that have surged to around €2.25 per litre off motorways and €2.29 on motorways, triggered in part by the war in Iran and delayed payment of a €434 million tax credit promised under a March 2026 decree.
Because Malta relies heavily on imports from Italy for many foodstuffs delivered through southern Italian ports and distribution hubs, the blockade has slowed the collection and delivery of agricultural products, with perishable goods particularly vulnerable to delays and potential loss, raising concerns among producers and retailers alike. Italian news agency ANSA confirmed shortages of fresh produce in Campania, Sicily and Calabria, while motorway operators reported kilometre-long queues on the A1 and A30 after demonstrations temporarily closed connections near Naples, and some pasta producers such as Rummo have even suspended production after running out of ingredients. In Malta, the sight of bare shelves at discount chain Eurospin in Mosta, which sources a significant share of its stock from Italian suppliers, has amplified public anxiety about supply chain fragility, even as Transport Minister Matteo Salvini in Rome said he was confident that delayed funds could be released and talks scheduled for Tuesday with national haulage associations would ease pressure. Consumer groups in Italy have called for an end to motorway blockades and urgent dialogue, urging protesters to allow perishable goods to pass, while Maltese importers are monitoring the situation closely to prevent more widespread shortages if the protests continue beyond this week.
