There is something profoundly democratic about pizza, this disk of pasta that has crossed centuries and social boundaries to become the gastronomic symbol of Italy in the world. Yet, even this popular dish par excellence is not immune to the economic dynamics of our time. While the queues in front of pizzerias continue to get longer and the margherita remains the undisputed queen of orders, the price lists tell a story of progressive price increases that redefine the relationship between Italians and their daily culinary cult.
Pizza but how much does it cost me?
The Consumer Training and Research Center (Crc) has put in black and white what many had already perceived when paying the bill: pizza is increasingly expensive in Italy. The average cost of a complete meal in a pizzeria has increased by 18.3% in the last six years, currently standing at 12.14 euros per person. A figure that includes pizza, drinks, cover charge and service, where applicable, and which captures a sector struggling with the increase in costs of raw materials, energy and personnel.
The analysis conducted on Istat data published by Mimit reveals a surprising geography of prices, which dispels some clichés and overturns expectations. The most expensive pizza in Italy is not found in the metropolises or tourist cities par excellence, but in Reggio Emilia, where an evening in a pizzeria can cost on average 17.58 euros. An unexpected record for the Emilian city, followed closely by Siena with 17.24 euros and Macerata with 16.25 euros.
The price podium
On the highest step of the national price list is Reggio Emilia with its average 17.58 euros per drink, almost double compared to the cheapest cities. The silver medal goes to Siena, where eating a pizza costs on average 17.24 euros, while third place is occupied by Macerata with 16.25 euros. Three cities in the Centre-North that share a generally higher cost of living than other areas of the country.
At the other end of the ranking we find the most accessible provinces. The real surprise is that it is not Naples – the historical homeland and moral capital of pizza – that holds the record for the lowest price, but Livorno, where a complete consumption costs on average just 8.75 euros. Followed by Reggio Calabria with 9.15 euros, Pescara with 9.37 euros and Catanzaro with 9.96 euros: the only four Italian provinces where it is still possible to dine in a pizzeria for less than 10 euros.
The numbers highlight a clear geographical divide between the Centre-North, where price lists tend to be higher, and Southern Italy, where the more deep-rooted pizza making tradition is accompanied by lower prices on average. The difference between the most expensive pizza and the cheapest one exceeds 8 euros, a significant gap that reflects the different economic realities of the national territory.
Margherita pizza
The margherita confirms itself as the most ordered pizza by Italians, a timeless classic that resists gastronomic trends and the experiments of the most creative chefs. But even this symbol of simplicity and tradition has seen its price rise, following a trend that affects the entire Italian agri-food chain.
The factors behind these increases are multiple: from the surge in energy costs which has hit pizzeria ovens hard, to the increase in the price of flour and other basic ingredients, up to the high bills which have had a heavy impact on the budgets of the establishments. Added to this is the difficulty in finding qualified personnel, which has also pushed up the cost of labor in the restaurant sector.
The fact remains that pizza, despite the price increases, continues to represent an essential event for millions of Italians, a social ritual that goes beyond simple nourishment.
