A total of 13.8 million kilogrammes of fruit and vegetables passed through the markets in the June quarter this year, up by 1.37 million kilogrammes (+11.0 per cent), from the 12.5 million kilogrammes in the corresponding period last year, National Statistics Office figures revealed yesterday.

The increase in volume brought about an increase of Lm0.2 million (+8.9 per cent) in the wholesale value, which rose from Lm2.2 million in the second quarter of 2005 to Lm2.4 million in the corresponding period this year.

During the first six months of 2006, the volume of fruit and vegetables passing through the markets increased by 2.98 million kilogrammes (+14.7 per cent) from 20.2 million kilogrammes in 2005 to 23.2 million kilogrammes in the same period this year.

This produce netted an increase of Lm0.1 million (+2.83 per cent) from Lm4.0 million in the first six months of 2005 to Lm4.1 million in the same period this year.

Regional Statistics

During the period covered by the report, Maltese farmers marketed a total of 12.6 million kilogrammes of fresh produce, or 90.7 per cent of the total market share. Compared to the same period last year, the supply of fresh produce increased by 1.41 million kilogrammes (+12.6 per cent) from 11.2 million kilogrammes. The increase in volume netted an increase of 0.19 million liri (+9.6 per cent) from 1.96 million liri in 2005 to 2.15 million liri in 2006.

Gozitan farmers’ share of fruit and vegetables declined marginally by 3.5 per cent, from 1.25 million kilogrammes in the June quarter 2005 to 1.21 million kilogrammes in the same quarter this year. On the other hand, the wholesale value of fruit and vegetables increased by 0.01 million liri (+3.1 per cent) over the comparative period.

Indices

The All Items vegetables price index for the month of June stood at 85.26 points, a fall of 4.51 points (-5 per cent) over the same month in 2005. The overall decline was mainly due to a reduction in the average price of tomatoes (-26.21 per cent) and melons (-41.55 per cent).

The All Items vegetables volume index rose from 146.25 points in June 2005 to 163.42 points in June this year, a rise of 17.77 points (+11.7 per cent) compared to June 2005. The rise in the volume index was the result of higher volumes in most horticultural products, the most notable increases being water melons (+30 per cent) and potatoes (+26.44 per cent).

The All Items fruit price index increased by 7.43 points (+8 per cent) from 92.77 points in June 2005 to 100.2 points in June 2006. The rise was mainly due to an increase of average unit prices of cherry plums (+91.86 per cent) and figs (+42.83 per cent).

The volume index increased by 84.49 points (+35.02 per cent) from 241.26 points in June 2005 to 325.75 points in June 2006. The substantial increase in the volume of peaches (+113.04 per cent) and plums (+37.44 per cent) was responsible for this increase.