Supermarket shelves are running empty in parts of southern Italy as truck drivers protest against soaring fuel prices, disrupting deliveries of food and other essential goods.

In Naples, trucks parked near the port on Monday as protesters blocked the loading and unloading of goods at supermarket distribution centres, bringing deliveries to a halt, particularly those of fresh food.

Shortages of fresh pasta, packaged cheeses, meat and fruit and vegetables have been reported in Sicily, with panic buying by shoppers adding to the pressure on supplies. Partially empty shelves have also been seen in Calabria and Puglia.

The disruption comes as transport operators demand support to cope with rising diesel prices, which are driving up the cost of their business.