As Easter approaches, Italian families are bracing for a significant increase in the cost of traditional holiday foods and beverages. According to the national consumer association Federconsumatori, prices for typical Easter products are expected to rise by an average of 6.2% compared to 2024. This year, Easter eggs, colomba cakes, and other festive items will see their prices soar, making the holiday feast more expensive than in previous years.
In detail, Easter eggs will experience the highest annual increase at 7.4%, while small chocolate eggs are set to rise by 10%. Colomba cakes, a staple of Italian Easter celebrations, will see a price hike of 6%. Fresh eggs are also expected to increase by 7.5%, and Easter pizzas will jump in price by 15% per kilo. Casatielli, a type of Italian pastry, will rise by 7%, and meat prices are projected to increase by 3.8%, with lamb meat specifically going up by 5%. Additionally, decorative items for the holiday will see a staggering increase of up to 12.5%.
Federconsumatori reports that the average annual increase in Easter product prices sits at 5.4%, but when compared to 2023, the rise is a staggering 13.1%. The average price for Easter eggs in 2025 is expected to reach 56.10 euros per kilogram, with some premium brands charging as much as 130 euros per kilogram. The price of popular Kinder chocolate eggs has already increased from 11.99 euros to 12.99 euros for the 150g format, marking an 8.3% rise.
Artisanal and special colomba cakes have also seen a significant price increase, averaging a 10% rise to 14.06 euros per kilogram. For those opting for artisanal varieties, prices can reach as high as 50 euros per kilogram. Many consumers are also facing instances of "shrinkflation," where products are sold in smaller packages at unchanged prices.
In light of these price increases, Italian families are expected to celebrate Easter primarily at home, with 81% choosing to dine in rather than go out to restaurants. Only 8% plan to eat out, while 4% will celebrate with friends and 3% will take the opportunity to travel. Despite the financial strain, families are determined to maintain their culinary traditions. The Easter menu for 2025 will prominently feature roast lamb or goat in 55% of households, fresh pasta in 30%, decorated boiled eggs in 18%, and torta pasqualina in 14%.
Interestingly, the soaring prices of chocolate eggs are prompting a shift in dessert preferences, with 39% of Italians favoring colomba cakes over chocolate eggs this year. Following colomba, 27% of families will opt for Neapolitan pastiera, while 26% will still choose chocolate eggs for their festive table.
Meanwhile, in Como, the annual Easter fair is set to return from Thursday, April 17, 2025, to Monday, April 21, 2025, coinciding with Easter Monday. This year, over 150 stalls will be set up along the perimeter beneath the historic walls of Como, specifically on Viale Varese and Viale Cattaneo. As the fair approaches, a no-parking order will be enforced from 7 AM on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, until midnight on Monday, April 21, 2025, along Viale Varese.
This no-parking regulation will also apply to the counter-avenue parking area and Piazza Cacciatori delle Alpi, ensuring space for rescue vehicles serving the event. The order encompasses all vehicles, including those for people with disabilities, residents with discounted parking permits, and motorcycles accessing the parking lot in the Zuccoli passage. For those who typically use driveways that will be inaccessible during the fair, access will be allowed from the adjacent Limited Traffic Zone, provided they submit a request through the designated online portal.
The Easter fair promises to be a vibrant event, attracting both locals and visitors to celebrate the holiday spirit while enjoying the festive atmosphere created by the stalls and activities. As families prepare for Easter, they are faced with the dual challenge of rising food costs and the excitement of traditional celebrations.
In summary, Easter 2025 in Italy is shaping up to be a time of cherished traditions, albeit with a notable financial burden. Families are adapting to the new reality of increased costs while striving to keep their culinary customs alive. The combination of rising prices and the festive fair in Como sets the stage for a unique Easter experience, blending the joy of celebration with the need for prudent financial planning.
