Farmers are struggling – Labour

The opposition has accused Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino of distorting facts on how much money farmers are making.

It said a recent National Statistics Office release showed farmers were actually struggling rather than doing well.

For example, although tomato production in the second quarter of this year increased by 19 per cent over the same period the year before, the value plummeted by nearly 50 per cent, they pointed out.

Labour spokesman for agriculture Joseph Sammut said: “Farmers are spending more money on water, fertiliser, fuel and other expenses, yet they are earning half as much as they did before.”

He added that at the same time, families were not seeing any significant reduction in food prices.

“All Dr Gonzi and Mr Pullicino are doing is releasing vague statements that are lacking in facts and official statistics,” he said.

An NSO release issued last week showed that the wholesale value of fresh fruit and vegetables in the second quarter of this year dropped by 13.2 per cent compared to the same period last year, due to an increase in the supply of potatoes, tomatoes and watermelons, among others.

The overall supply went down to 11.9 million kilograms, a reduction of 2.4 per cent. The wholesale value stood at €5.6 million.

Over 11.1 million kilograms of vegetables were supplied to consumers during this year’s second quarter, 2.9 per cent less than last year. Some 4.8 per cent more fruit was supplied in comparison, at nearly 850,000 kilograms.