Amatriciana and supplì are at risk due to rising tomato prices and gas bills
The voice is that of a respected Roman chef and owner of one of the city's best restaurants, Arcangelo Dandini, of Arcangelo e Supplizio. Valentina Lupia of Repubblica interviewed him to understand how the rising gas bills, which are causing major concerns not only in the restaurant industry, are impacting his cuisine.
The answer lies in one fact: "In recent months, the price of tomatoes has tripled." The price of his amatriciana, he says, will remain the same as in recent years, 13 euros, but the costs will impact profits. Raising menu prices too much, after all, means driving away customers. It's difficult to find a balance. Naturally, the rising price of tomatoes also affects supplì, pasta with tomato sauce, and many other recipes. Dandini explains: "Before, it cost me 80 cents a kilo, now it's 2.40."
To better understand the situation, take a look at Il Sole 24 Ore, which explains: "There have been price increases of over 1,000% for the methane used in the tomato canning plants." And again: "In July 2021, the gas bill was €83,000; this year, it has skyrocketed to €508,000," says Carmine Alfano, third-generation member of the family business. "For electricity, the bill has gone from €60,000 to €170,000. These are shocking increases because we have a photovoltaic system in the company that covers a third of our needs."
The canning companies of the South, writes the Corriere del Mezzogiorno, are calling for a “Marshall Plan for tomatoes”.