A new Farmers Market at Ta' Qali will serve as a year-round centre for local produce, food and agriculture under a government project aimed at strengthening Malta's agricultural sector and promoting local products, the government said in a statement.
The project was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo and Parliamentary Secretary Omar Farrugia together with officials from Malta Food Agency during a meeting with farmers at the project site in Ta' Qali.
The statement said that the project aims to create a permanent and modern space where Maltese farmers and producers can sell directly to the public in an organised and accessible environment.
The new Farmers Market is intended to transform Ta' Qali into what the government described as a vibrant agricultural and food destination where Maltese products are not only sold but also celebrated and experienced.
A central feature of the project will be a dedicated eatery offering locally prepared food products, with the government saying the initiative will help implement the "farm-to-fork" concept while promoting Maltese culinary identity and local produce.
The project is also designed as an open and inclusive space for families, tourists and visitors, offering what the government described as a relaxed and educational experience centred around Maltese agriculture.
The government said the investment, carried out with the involvement of the Malta Food Agency, will create a space operating throughout the year to increase opportunities and visibility for local producers while raising awareness about sustainable and local food.
Ian Borg praised the Agriculture Ministry and the Malta Food Agency for carrying out what he described as a crucial project for the country.
"Whenever we invest in Maltese products, we are not only strengthening our identity, but also the resilience and sustainability of Malta and Gozo," Borg said.
He added that the Farmers Market will provide farmers with what he described as the showcase they deserve to present their products directly to Maltese families and businesses.
Borg also said the market is expected to become a tourist attraction, particularly for visitors interested in Malta's gastronomy.
"Like we see in many other countries, this Farmers Market will certainly become a magnet for tourists seeking truly Maltese products and flavours directly from those who produce them," he said.
Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo described the project as a concrete step towards a stronger and more modern agricultural sector that places Maltese farmers at the centre of the national vision.
He said the investment forms part of a wider strategy aimed at creating a more resilient, innovative and sustainable agricultural sector while prioritising food security and the promotion of Maltese products.
"The Ta' Qali Farmers Market is designed as a symbol of how tradition and modernity can come together while continuing to strengthen the country's agricultural and cultural identity," Refalo said.
Parliamentary Secretary Omar Farrugia said the Public Works Department will be carrying out the project, which he said will benefit both farmers and families visiting Ta' Qali.
"We wanted to create a more organised and modern space where local products can be sold in a better and more comfortable environment throughout the year," Farrugia said.
Malta Food Agency chief executive Brian Vella said the new market reflects a national shift in how Malta values food, community and local producers.
He described the project as part of a long-term vision to strengthen Malta's agricultural identity while reconnecting people with the origins of the food they consume.
Malta Food Agency Chief Business Development Officer Justin John Camilleri said the agency prioritised the development of the Farmers Market as a platform designed to improve the experience of both producers and consumers through modern infrastructure and dedicated spaces.