Eni Cuts Farm and Fishing Fuel Prices 20% in Italy Through October

Italian energy group Eni is extending a 20 percent fuel discount to the country's agriculture and fishing sectors as high energy costs continue to pressure operating expenses.

From October 2, Enilive customers can buy agricultural and fishing diesel and gasoline at a 20 percent discount net of VAT.

The measure runs through October 31 and Eni has indicated that it could be extended to the end of the year depending on market conditions and product availability.

The support follows a broader retail fuel price cap introduced by Eni and similar moves by other fuel suppliers in Italy.

Agriculture is particularly exposed to fuel price shocks because diesel is used directly in tractors, harvesters, irrigation, transport and many on-farm logistics operations.

Fishing fleets face a similar problem because fuel can represent a large share of operating costs, especially when marine diesel prices rise quickly.

Italy's annual inflation rate rose to 4.1 percent in September from 3.2 percent in August, with energy costs a major contributor to the increase.

The Eni discount is a company pricing measure rather than a government subsidy, but it provides a direct temporary reduction in operating costs for two sectors highly exposed to fuel markets.