Extreme heat has affected fresh milk production in Malta, with Malta Dairy Products warning that some Benna products may become temporarily harder to find.

The company said heat stress on the local dairy herd had resulted in a temporary reduction in milk production, with the impact this summer more pronounced than in previous years.

"Malta Dairy Products Ltd would like to inform its customers that the exceptionally high temperatures experienced this summer have placed significant heat stress on the local dairy herd, resulting in a temporary reduction in fresh milk production," the company said in a notice to customers.

While lower milk production is normal during the summer months, the company said this year's unusually high temperatures had had a greater effect.

"As a result, availability of some Benna products may occasionally be limited," it said.

Malta Dairy Products said it was working with local dairy farmers and its production teams to maximise the amount of milk available and maintain supplies to the market.

The company sources fresh milk from more than 70 farms across Malta and Gozo.

It did not specify which Benna products were most affected or indicate how long the reduced availability could last.

It thanked customers for their patience and continued support for Malta's dairy sector.

The warning comes after Malta experienced two significant heatwaves this summer.

The first lasted seven days in July, with temperatures reaching 43.3°C on 18 July, the hottest temperature ever recorded in Malta. A second heatwave hit the islands towards the end of August.

The prolonged extreme temperatures also contributed to a series of debilitating power cuts and prompted the Met Office to issue red weather warnings.

The latest warning highlights another impact of the summer's extreme heat, this time on Malta's agricultural and food supply chain.