Food firm exports reach Lm1m in 2002

Magro Brothers (Foods) Ltd managing director John Magro said the company had registered an impressive annual growth rate in exports of more than 50 per cent during the past five years.

Speaking at the factory in Xewkija during a visit by Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, Mr Magro said the company had plans to continue increasing its exports over the coming years.

Magro Brothers Group has become one of the leading enterprises in Malta with its backbone involved in the food sector, particularly the processing of fresh tomatoes with special emphasis on tomato ketchup and sauces for the export market.

Dr Fenech Adami, who was accompanied by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and EU chief negotiator Richard Cachia Caruana, met with directors of the company and was then given a detailed tour of the factory floor and production line.

Earlier, Dr Fenech Adami, also accompanied by the parliamentary secretary responsible for the self-employed, Edwin Vassallo, visited a number of shops in Victoria where he was given a warm welcome by Gozitan shopowners and people in the streets.

Mr Magro said the company was prepared for EU membership and was ready to turn any challenge into an opportunity.

Asked to comment about the fact that his company was among those mentioned by Labour leader Alfred Sant, who had told workers to question how it would be affected by membership, Mr Magro said his style of management was very open and he had regular contact with the employees.

He was seeing huge opportunities for the company's future and expected continued growth.

Magro Brothers, he said, had just been informed that it had been granted assistance from the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprise to continue strengthening its position.

The principal market for the company's products is the European Union, with the UK as the main destination.

Last year, the company exported 220 containers with 3,600 tons of tomato ketchup and sauces, the majority of which were sold to high-profile European supermarket chains.

In 1995, the company moved to a new factory with an area of 27,000 square metres and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with the latest technology. The company employs 150 workers.

Describing the company as a success story, Dr Fenech Adami said the increase in its exports, from Lm100,000 in 1997 to Lm1 million in 2002, was remarkable.

He said it was evident that the company was up to the standard necessary to exploit the potential of becoming part of the single market after membership.

Dr Fenech Adami praised Mr Magro for his dedication, adding that the government had consulted him during the negotiations with the EU, especially during talks on agriculture.