Italians spent 2.7 bln euros ($3.9 bln) on the traditional food and drinks consumed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, according to Italian farmers' union Coldiretti.
Grocery shopping in Italy fell by 10% year-on-year during the festive season of 2007, the farmer's union said.
Italians spent around 900 mln euros ($1.3 bln) on meat and fish, around 500 mln euros ($731 mln) on first courses, 500 mln euros ($731 mln) on sweets.
The 500 mln euros for sweets include the money spent on the traditional Christmas cakes produced in the different regions of the country, such as Panettone, from Milan, from Pandoro, from Verona.
In addition, Italians spent 300 mln euros ($438.6 mln) on wines and sparkling wines, another 300 mln euros ($438.6 mln) on cold cuts and cheese and 200 mln euros ($292.4 mln) for fruit.
Nevertheless, in 2007 Italians preferred traditional national fare to the salmon, oyster and caviar which have been creeping in due to foreign influences.
