In the fourth quarter of 2009, the volume of fresh fruit and vegetables increased by 4.7 per cent, whereas the wholesale value decreased by 17.8 per cent, when compared to the corresponding period in 2008.

The volume of fresh fruit and vegetables passing through the official markets in the fourth quarter of 2009 rose by 4.7 per cent to 9.3 million kilograms over the comparative period of the previous year. On the other hand, the wholesale value of fresh fruit and vegetables registered a decrease of 17.8 per cent from €4.67 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 to €3.84 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The supply of fresh vegetables advanced by 4.5 per cent from 8.4 million kilograms in 2008 to 8.8 million kilograms in the quarter under review. An increase was registered in the supply of Cauliflowers (+13.5 per cent), Vegetable Marrows (+35.5 per cent), Dry Onions (+8.2 per cent) and Lettuce (+9.4 per cent). On the other hand, the supply of Cabbages and Tomatoes declined by 10.7 and 14.0 per cent respectively. The wholesale value of fresh vegetables amounted to €3.45 million, a decrease of 20.7 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter in 2008.

During the quarter under review, the supply and wholesale value of fresh fruit rose by 8.6 and 20.4 per cent respectively, on account of higher quantities of Grapes and Pomegranates. The wholesale value of fresh fruit increased from €0.33 million in the fourth quarter of 2008 to €0.39 million in the fourth quarter last year.

Regional Statistics

The volume of fruit and vegetables supplied by Maltese farmers amounted to 8.4 million kilograms, an increase of 5.1 per cent over the corresponding period in 2008. This volume represents 90.8 per cent of the total supply. During the period under review, the wholesale value of fresh fruit and vegetables declined by 19.0 per cent, from €4.09 million to €3.32 million.

Gozitan farmers supplied a total of 0.9 million kilograms of fresh fruit and vegetables, or 9.2 per cent of the total supply. The volume of fresh fruit and vegetables rose marginally by 1.0 per cent, whereas the wholesale value fell by 9.0 per cent over the comparative quarter in 2008.

Quarterly Indices

The quarterly ‘All Items’ fresh fruit price index for the fourth quarter of 2009 advanced by 7.31 points (+9.0 per cent) from 80.95 points in the fourth quarter of 2008 to 88.26 points. The fresh fruit volume index also rose by 5.92 points or 8.6 per cent, to 74.60 points.

The quarterly ‘All Items’ fresh vegetables price index declined by 33.77 points (-24.8 per cent) from 136.13 points in the fourth quarter of 2008 to 102.36 points in the period under review. On the other hand, the fresh vegetables volume index rose by 3.74 points (+4.5 per cent) to 86.58 points in the fourth quarter of 2009.

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