Shoppers and families can look forward to buying fresh fruit and vegetables at cheaper prices from two new farmers’ markets that will be set up early next year in the north and south of Malta.
The markets are designed to bypass the Pitkali market
The two markets will follow the highly successful one set up at Ta’ Qali a year ago, giving farmers an opportunity to sell their products directly to consumers who, in turn, are benefiting from more competitive prices.
The first market will open in Paola, in a reservoir close to the Addolorata cemetery on January 8, where farmers can sell their produce twice a week – on Sundays and Wednesdays, Paul Fenech Gonzi, from the Rural Affairs Ministry, told The Sunday Times.
The second market will be set up in the area around Swieqi, Pembroke and St Julian’s and should be up and running in the first three months of 2012.
Farmers have often complained they are inadequately compensated for their produce while customers object to high prices. These markets are designed to bypass the Pitkali market, with its system of middlemen, which has long been blamed for artificially inflating the prices of fruit and vegetables.
The Paola market will have 40 stalls while the one in St Julian’s/Swieqi will have around 50. This, together with the 40 stalls at Ta’ Qali will add up to around 130 stalls selling vegetables and fruit around Malta throughout the week.
The stalls are available to full and part-time farmers, associations, cooperatives and animal breeders, according to Mr Fenech Gonzi.
Those interested in booking a stall could send in an application but first preference will be given to full-time farmers.
Mr Fenech Gonzi explained that farmers who had already been allocated a stall at Ta’ Qali could apply for a place at the other markets but would have to give up their stall.
Applications are available from the Pitkali office in Ta’ Qali from tomorrow.