Production of peaches and other stone fruit in Malta is in 'freefall'
It is estimated that output is dropping by around 18,000 kilos each year
Production of peaches and other stone fruit is in “freefall”, the head of Malta’s farmers’ lobby has told Times of Malta.
Malcolm Borg of Għaqda Bdiewa Attivi said Malta’s summer-harvested stone fruit is renowned for its impeccable taste and very high quality.
The country produced 382 tonnes of the fruit in 2014, but that figure fell by almost half to 217 tonnes in 2023, he said.
“From observation, production has continued to decline since then,” he added, estimating that output is dropping by around 18,000 kilos each year.
He said a major reason for the downturn is the lack of pesticides available to control pests attacking the trees and fruit.
“This lack of availability has meant that certain pests – especially the Mediterranean fruit fly – have wreaked havoc on these crops, leaving farmers with no option but to uproot trees,” he said.
Borg added that the bambinella (Maltese June pear), like other pear varieties, is also in decline.
He said access to “plant protection products” is limited due to the small size of the Maltese market.
“Chemical manufacturers and importers find it difficult to justify, financially, the hassle of registering and importing new products for Malta.”
Questions have been sent to the Ministry of Agriculture asking whether it is aware of the issue and whether it plans to take action.