During the second quarter of 2009, the volume of fresh fruit and vegetables declined by 11.9 per cent while the wholesale value rose by 7.7 per cent, when compared to the corresponding period of 2008.
Fresh fruit and vegetable availability for the second quarter of 2009 declined by 11.9 per cent, 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 per cent, 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 per cent, to 11.4 million kilograms. Notable declines were recorded in Potatoes (-33.8 per cent), Tomatoes (-19.9 per cent) and Cauliflowers (-13.6 per cent). On the other hand, the supply of Dry Onions and Lettuce increased by 15.2 and 19.1 per cent respectively.
The wholesale value of fresh vegetables rose by 15.6 per cent 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 per cent respectively, on account of increases in their unit prices. The wholesale value of Dry Onions rose by 67.0 per cent 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 per cent 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 per cent, on account of lower supply and lower prices for this product.
The supply of fresh fruit decreased by 13.7 per cent, reflecting mainly the drop in the supply of Lemons and Peaches by 22.6 and 15.4 per cent respectively. Similarly, the wholesale value of fresh fruit also registered a decline of 18.2 per cent 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.
Regional Statistics
Maltese farmers supplied 11.3 million kilograms (-10.9 per cent) of fruit and vegetables, yielding €5.9 million (+8.9 per cent). Overall, Maltese farmers contributed 92.3 per cent 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 per cent less fruit and vegetables. Their supply in the period under review amounted to 0.9 million kilograms, yielding €0.6 million, a 3.1 per cent decline in the wholesale value obtained in the second quarter last year. Overall, the latter supply on the market represented 7.7 percent of the total supply.
Quarterly Indices
The quarterly ‘All Items’ fresh fruit price index for this period decreased by 5.85 points (-3.1 per cent) to stand at 183.20 points. The quarterly ‘All Items’ fresh fruit volume index fell by 18.95 points (-13.7 per cent) from 137.89 points in the second quarter 2008 to 118.94 points in the second quarter this year. The quarterly ‘All Items’ fresh vegetables price index went up by 31.69 points (+33.9 per cent) to stand at 125.19 points. This price rise was mainly attributable to the fact that the quarterly ‘All Items’ fresh vegetables volume index fell by 15.08 points (-11.8 per cent) to 112.63 points in the second quarter of 2009.