I had just recently posted on high pasta prices with reference to De Cecco (my favorite for spaghetti). Also on what I had perceived as a shortage. No satisfactory response was received when I e-mailed both Italy and the American distributor.
Now comes the news that the Italian anti-trust authority (which in Italian is called l'anti-trust, as the US had this sort of legislation long before Europe did) is asking over 12 million euros for alleged price-fixing among about 90% of Italian pasta producers. These include De Cecco, but also Barilla, Amato, Colussi, Divella, Delverde and La Molisana.
Well, seems like it might be a good time to challenge my brand loyalty and see if there are any good domestic producers of durum wheat pasta. I'll keep you posted.
