Increase in fruits and vegetables production

In the fourth quarter of 2006, Maltese farmers supplied a total of 8.5 million kilograms of fruit and vegetables or 90.0 per cent of the total supply. The volume and wholesale value of fresh fruit and vegetable supply over the comparative period rose by 19.7 per cent and 23.2 per cent respectively. On the other hand, the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables by Gozitan farmers amounted to 10.0 per cent of the total supply. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables by Gozitan farmers declined by 1.2 per cent but the wholesale value of this produce increased by 5.8 per cent.