Farmers are this year anticipating a good fruit harvest, set to break the decline of recent years.

John Gauci, president of the Farmers’ Central Cooperative, confirmed there was an abundance of locally grown fruit on the market this year.

But while consumers would stand to benefit from cheaper prices, it would not necessarily imply bigger profits for farmers.

“In reality such abundance is not always a good omen for farmers, as prices tend to go down, and in some cases profits may slide,” Mr Gauci said.

One of the reasons there is an abundance is the relatively high rainfall when compared with previous years

Indications of an increase in local produce have emerged from government official data for the first quarter of this year, when 505 tonnes of fresh fruit were sold through the four official markets in Malta and Gozo – a 45 per cent rise over the same period last year.

An abundance of strawberries and oranges contributed to this increase.

The National Statistics Office said that between January and March the wholesale value of fruit reached €836,000, which represented an increase of 25 per cent over last year.

This year’s volumes so far are in sharp contrast with those of 2013 when the amount of locally grown fruit dipped to the lowest levels in years.

This meant, however, that last year farmers had a relatively good return on their produce and profit levels improved on the previous two years. The scarcity of local fresh fruit pushed prices up and compensated for the decline in production.

Mr Gauci said the decline of recent years was within the normal agricultural cycle.

“One of the reasons there is an abundance of locally grown fruits on the market this year is the relatively high rainfall when compared with previous years,” he said. However, he cautioned that farmers who repeatedly failed to fetch good prices for their produce would struggle to make ends meet.

One local fruit that has seen both demand and supply soar is the strawberry. Between 2008 and 2012, the amount sold through official markets by Maltese farmers almost doubled to 777 tons, according to the NSO.

The strawberry craze reaches its peak during the annual showcase event held in Mġarr, which prides itself on the cultivation of this fruit.

A once-popular fruit which is nowadays less abundant on the market is the cherry plum, which comes in two varieties – red and yellow. Its decline is due to a drop in demand, which has dampened farmers’ enthusiasm for growing it, Mr Gauci said.

In the case of peaches the trend is in reverse, with demand and volumes picking up.

Consumers beware

Consumers seeking Maltese-grown fruits and vegetables, which have a reputation for being far more flavourful than imported produce, could be duped into buying Sicilian fruit disguised as coming from the pitkali, farmers have warned.

A number of them contacted this newspaper complaining about what they described as unfair competition.

They claimed some vendors were filling the pitkali green crates with imported fruits, which are usually identifiable because they are mainly sold in pre-packed containers rather than by weight.

But it is not always easy for consumers to distinguish between local fruit and the imported varieties, although the latter tend to be bigger and better presented.

Locally-grown fruits tend to be tastier so they fetch a better price. Local producers are urging the authorities to ensure the practice is curbed.

Annual volume and wholesale value of fruit sold through official markets. Source: NSO