MaltaMedia.com

The National Statistics Office said that fresh fruit and vegetable availability for the second quarter of 2009 declined by 11.9%, from 13.9 million kilograms in the second quarter of 2008 to 12.2 million kilograms. On the other hand, during the period under review saw the wholesale value of fresh fruit and vegetables increased by 7.7%, to €6.4 million, over the comparative quarter of 2008.

During the second quarter of 2009, the supply of fresh vegetables fell by 11.8%, to 11.4 million kilograms. Notable declines were recorded in potatoes (-33.8%), tomatoes (-19.9%) and cauliflowers (-13.6%). On the other hand, the supply of dry onions and lettuce increased by 15.2% and 19.1% respectively.

The wholesale value of fresh vegetables rose by 15.6% and amounted to €5.3 million in the second quarter this year. The wholesale value of tomatoes and of vegetable marrows went up by 54.2% and 14.1% respectively, on account of increases in their unit prices. The wholesale value of dry onions rose by 67.0% on account of a rise in both volume and unit price.

Meanwhile, the wholesale value of potatoes and watermelons declined by 13.4% and 9.4% respectively, on account of considerable falls in supply, although their unit prices rose when compared to the second quarter of 2008. The wholesale value of sugar melons declined by 22.6%, on account of lower supply and lower prices for this product.

The supply of fresh fruit decreased by 13.7%, reflecting mainly the drop in the supply of lemons and peaches by 22.6% and 15.4% respectively. Similarly, the wholesale value of fresh fruit also registered a decline of 18.2% when compared to the second quarter of 2008, from €1.4 million to €1.1 million. The resultant fall in wholesale value was attributable to lower quantity and unit prices observed in the period under review.
Maltese farmers supplied 11.3 million kilograms (-10.9%) of fruit and vegetables, yielding €5.9 million (+8.9%). Overall, Maltese farmers contributed 92.3% of the total supply of fruit and vegetables on the market.

When compared to the second quarter of 2008, Gozitan farmers supplied the market with 22.8% less fruit and vegetables. Their supply in the period under review amounted to 0.9 million kilograms, yielding €0.6 million, a 3.1% decline in the wholesale value obtained in the second quarter last year. Overall, the latter supply on the market represented 7.7% of the total supply.