A 2.5% increase in milk consumed has been witnessed in Malta over a 10-year-period, a study conducted by the Department of Economy at the University of Malta has found.

The findings of the report were presented to Minister for the Environment Leo Brincat this morning at the ministry’s premises in Sta Venera by the University’s department of the economy head Dr Philip von Brockdorff and the general manager of the Dairy Products Cooperative and economist Gaetano Buttigieg.

Minister Brincat said it is clear that this sector has gone through a massive upgrading process in a bid to make the sector more efficient, enhance its quality while making it more competitive.

The report analysed the sector’s last 10 years since Malta joined the EU and the challenges it faced during this period.

Mr Brincat emphasised that although the sector went through a 10-year transitory period, one cannot rest on his laurels but continue to enhance this important and strategic sector.

He said that there is a need to find new ways to address the challenges that lie ahead.

Mr Buttigieg said that €57 million were invested in this sector which came as a result of Malta’s joining the EU.

Mr von Brockdorff said that the amount of milk produced from each cow reached an average 6,472 kgs in 2013 when compared to the 2003 period, which was 5,261 kgs.