Final agricultural production in Malta last year increased by 1.2 per cent to 140,310 tonnes, according to the National Statistics Office.

In a statement published on the occasion of World Food Day, being celebrated tomorrow, the NSO said final agricultural production in 2013 was 1.2 per cent higher than in 2012.

The production of vegetables amounted to 73,933 tonnes, an increase of 5.4 per cent over the previous year, and contributed to 52.7 per cent of total final production.

The production of milk last year registered an annual decline of 5.5 per cent, while its share of total final agricultural production amounted to 29.2 per cent.

Food inflation measured by means of the 12-month moving average rate was 4.8 per cent in 2013, while the annual rate stood at 2.6 per cent.

Food prices were higher mainly in respect of fruit, chocolate, fish, eggs and vegetables.

Current estimates for 2013 put the value of imported foodstuffs at €510 million, an increase of 0.2 per cent when compared to 2012. Increases were recorded in most food products, mainly fruit and vegetables (+7.4 per cent) and milk, cheese and eggs (+2.8 per cent).

Malta’s food exports advanced by 13.2 per cent to an estimated value of €212 million when compared to 2012. This was mainly due to an increase in the exports of fish and other food, by 16.8 and 15.4 per cent respectively.