Italy's major steel companies have begun halting production due to sharp increases in electricity and gas prices, Reuters reports, citing the industry association Federations. According to the association, the cost of energy resources makes the operation of factories economically unprofitable and harms their competitiveness. Last month, against the backdrop of low supply in Europe and disruptions due to the conflict involving Iran, gas exchange prices exceeded 104 euros per megawatt hour. The association will discuss the situation with the trade unions in the coming days.