Shelves at Eurospin's Mosta branch were left nearly bare on Tuesday, with fresh produce, meat and dairy products in short supply amid protests by lorry drivers and other workers in southern Italy.

Several sections of the supermarket were largely empty on Tuesday afternoon, with shoppers finding limited quantities of fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products.

While some items remained available, much of the usual variety of fresh produce was missing, with most of the remaining vegetables sold in prepacked portions.

The dairy section was also noticeably depleted, with only a handful of yoghurts available, although locally produced milk remained in stock.

While several cuts of meat were still displayed at the butcher's counter, nearby refrigerators that would normally hold additional meat products were empty.

A member of staff attributed the shortages to deliveries failing to arrive because of strikes in Italy over rising fuel prices.

The disruption comes as lorry drivers, farmers and fishermen in southern Italy protest against soaring diesel prices and what they describe as the government's failure to address rising transport and operating costs.

Italian news agency ANSA reported that lorry drivers had blocked roads and ports, including in Naples, as the protests spread across parts of southern Italy.

The demonstrations have affected areas including Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia and Sicily, with fresh produce among the goods most affected by the disruption to transport.

According to Italian media reports, supermarkets in parts of Sicily, Campania and Calabria have also experienced shortages of yoghurt, dairy products, meat, fruit and vegetables.

The disruption has raised concerns about the impact of Italy's transport problems on Malta, which imports fresh food from its neighbouring country.

However, the shortages do not appear to be affecting all supermarket chains in Malta.

Lidl Malta told Times of Malta that its operations had not been affected by the situation in Italy and that its supply chain remained fully operational, with shelves continuing to be well stocked.

Wellbee's also said it had contacted its Italian transporter, which reported no disruptions to deliveries so far. However, the supermarket chain cautioned that it could not guarantee supplies would remain unaffected in the coming days or weeks.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Party MEP Peter Agius commented on the situation, questioning sarcastically whether ministers would "find something to eat today".

In a social media post, Agius said the shortages highlighted Malta's vulnerability in terms of food security and stressed the importance of having a productive agricultural and livestock farming sector supported by the authorities.

In Sicily, the protests have also had a significant economic impact. Confcommercio Sicilia has estimated that five days of stoppages have cost retailers and the fresh-food supply chain between €40 million and €50 million on the island alone, according to Italian reports.

The Sicilian Trucking Committee, which is behind a five-day stoppage, has said its members are refusing to move trailers off ships rather than blocking roads. The group has said its action will end once Transport Minister Matteo Salvini formally signs his commitments.

Salvini, who is also Italy's Deputy Prime Minister, said €430 million already allocated to the sector would begin to be paid out during the week. He also promised additional funding and support through the Marebonus shipping incentive.

The trucking group Trasportounito is seeking a 15% increase in haulage rates, while farmers have also joined the protests. Fishermen in Molise are expected to keep their boats in port on Thursday, 22 October.

The extent to which the continuing protests will affect food deliveries to Malta in the coming days remains unclear.