October 31, 2007 (LPAC)--Consumer credit rose 17.5% in the first six months of 2007 in Italy, according to figures provided by the Italian Banking Association.

Italian household debt is, nevertheless, still the lowest in Europe (5.8% of GNP, compared to 16.5% in UK, 9.9% in Germany, 9.4% Spain, and 7.5% in France).

At the same time, however, food consumptions went down 10% over five years (2001-2006), according to Ismea research institute.