Compared with December 2024, in December 2025 overall inflation in Italy stood at 1.2%, far below the peaks of previous years. However, rising costs continue to be a source of concern for regular people. This is because the cost of regularly purchased goods continues to climb far faster than the general price index. Food items were 2.2% more expensive in December than a year before, while the so-called "shopping basket" (which includes the cost of food, household goods, and personal care products) rose by 1.9%. Two classic items, chocolate and coffee, have seen the most price hikes in the last year. Cocoa and chocolate powder prices grew by 20.3% compared to the previous year, while coffee prices rose by 18%. In both situations, the increase is the result of global factors: poor harvests in producing countries have restricted supply, causing prices to spike on international markets and, consequently, on grocery shelves. Processed chocolate's price increased by about 10% for the same reasons. Nevertheless, the price hikes are also having a significant impact on other frequently consumed consumables and fresh produce. Eggs are 8.5% more expensive than last year, and beef is up 8.2%. Soft drinks (+7.5%) and dairy goods (+6%) also saw strong growth. These increases significantly exceed the growth in average wages, thereby diminishing the actual purchasing power of families, particularly those with lower incomes who allocate a larger portion of their expenditures to food and essential products.