Consumers are being urged to buy organic products, preferably directly from producers and without wasting any food, water and energy.

On the occasion of World Food Day celebrated yesterday, which is focused on achieving food security in times of crisis, the Cooperative for Fair Trading launched a campaign to raise awareness about world hunger.

The cooperative said the campaign specifically addressed access to food, globalisation, the industrial chain, the raw materials market, volatile prices, subsidies, rural women in developing countries, genetically modified organisms, respect for biodiversity and pesticides, among others.

In the coming months, the cooperative will distribute material about fair trade, social justice, environment protection and local sustainability, together with a documentary about growing rice and herbs in developing countries in schools.

Meanwhile, the National Statistics Office issued statistics about the local food market to mark the day. Figures show money spent on food rose by 16 per cent to €652 million from €564 million, amounting to 16 per cent of total domestic expenses.

Most of it was spent on bread and cereals, which rose by 17 per cent to €144 million from €124 million, followed by meat, which rose by 15 per cent to €135 million from €118 million.

Meanwhile, the largest rise in consumption was in fish, which rose by 80 per cent to €79 million from €44 million, while that of vegetables remained practically the same.

The highest rise in prices was that of pasta and vegetables, which rose by 21 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.

On the other hand, the lowest was in unprocessed potatoes and fresh or chilled fish, which fell by five per cent and one per cent respectively.

Moreover, food imports rose by four per cent to €438 million from €420 million, amounting to 13 per cent of total imports.

Exports fell slightly to eight per cent of total exports.

kbugeja@timesofmalta.com