The increase has to account for Lm440,000 in subsidies given by the government and the EU, which subsidies were only possible because they were agreed upon at pre-accession stage.

Figures issued recently by the National Statistics Office for the sector are positive, the statement said. It pointed out that the sector registered a 16 per cent increase in production over last year, during the same period, resulting in a total of 2.2 million kilos of extra fruit and vegetables. The value of the produce also increased by 1.6 per cent.

From July to September a total of 1.3 million kilos of fruit went through the pitkalija, an increase of four million kilos, or 43 per cent over the same period last year. The value of the fruit at wholesale price decreased by seven per cent to Lm440,000 due to a surplus of nectarines and grapes.

During the period July to September farmers sold some 13 million kilogrammes of vegetables and fruit. When compared to the same period last year the share of Maltese products in the market increased by eight per cent, largely due to a surge in the sales of watermelons, tomatoes, grapes and peaches. The wholesale price for the period grew from 1.57 million last year to 1.64 million this year.

The government is committed to keep assisting the sector both through financial and technical help, the statement concluded.