Italy's government has convened a crisis meeting to address the significant surge in pasta prices, which has led to a near-doubling of the country's inflation rate. The high pasta prices are affecting both Italian and American consumers, with pasta prices in the U.S. reaching a record high in February. Factors contributing to the price increase include rising costs in input, packaging, and logistics, as well as concerns over corporate profit-taking. However, the decrease in the cost of durum wheat, a key component of pasta, has not yet been reflected in the retail prices. The crisis commission in Italy anticipates a decrease in prices in the coming months, although in the U.S., pasta prices are expected to continue their upward trend due to increased production costs and supply chain issues.