Sicilian durum wheat growers left without promised support in regional budget revision
Sicily’s regional budget revision contains no funding for the cereal sector despite earlier government assurances. Growers are selling durum wheat for less than €0.20 per kilogram as costs rise and Italy’s dependence on imported grain deepens.
Budget revision omits cereal-sector funding
Sicily’s durum wheat industry remains without immediate regional support after the budget revision approved by the government of regional president Renato Schifani included no funding for the cereal sector. IlSicilia reports that the government had previously announced and guaranteed the inclusion of these resources during recent sessions of the Sicilian Regional Assembly.
The omission comes as growers contend with higher production costs, declining profitability and market distortions. The current budget package is worth €221 million, but its overall resources could increase to €500 million. A further €200 million is expected to be made available to regional deputies, while another €100 million will remain under the control of the Assembly. This leaves scope for cereal support to be added during the legislative process, although no allocation has yet been secured.
Three-year proposal offers €100 million
A separate bill initiated by Coldiretti and supported by all group leaders in the regional assembly is already under examination by the Productive Activities Committee, chaired by Gaspare Vitrano. The proposal would allocate €50 million in 2026 for immediate compensation to farmers, followed by €30 million in 2027 and €20 million in 2028.
The later funding would be used to strengthen the supply chain, certify quality and improve the market positioning of Sicilian durum wheat. The proposed package totals €100 million over three years, but its progression through committee has not yet delivered assistance to producers facing losses during the current season.
Prices below €0.20 per kilogram
According to IlSicilia, Sicilian wheat is being sold for less than €0.20 per kilogram. Coldiretti Sicilia identifies the local “price on call” system as a major problem. Under this mechanism, many growers hold grain in storage while waiting for a better quotation. The resulting reduction in immediately available supply encourages greater use of imports. When stored grain subsequently reaches the market in concentrated volumes, the additional supply can push prices down further and reduce farmers’ income.
Confagricoltura has said that producers harvesting durum wheat this summer are operating at a loss. The pressure affects not only farms but also storage operators, processors and pasta manufacturers seeking reliable supplies of grain with certified origin and quality. Rising import dependence may give processors more sourcing options, but it also increases exposure to international production, inventory and price movements.
Italy’s self-sufficiency continues to decline
Data from Confagricoltura’s research centre show that Italy’s durum wheat area declined by 10% between 2012 and 2025. The country’s self-sufficiency rate fell from 78% to 56.5%, and more than 880,000 additional hectares would be required to reach full domestic supply. Italy now relies on foreign grain for almost half of the durum wheat it processes into pasta.
The outlook could become more difficult for growers. Available estimates indicate that global durum wheat supply will increase in 2026, raising worldwide inventories and potentially adding pressure to prices. Confagricoltura argues that the quality of Italian grain could support higher quotations if it is reflected in the value of pasta sold in Italy and abroad. For Sicilian producers, however, that strategy requires functioning quality certification, stronger supply-chain positioning and short-term financial relief. Until regional lawmakers assign funds, the proposed support remains a legislative commitment rather than cash available to farms.
