Maltese households are forking out more money on food, racking up a total bill of €579 million last year, according to official statistics.

However, compared to 2009, families spent more money on oils and fats and less on fish, meat and vegetables, the National Statistics Office said on the occasion of World Food Day celebrated yesterday.

The amount spent on food in 2010 was 1.4 per cent higher than in 2009. Last year, food consumption expenditure was estimated at 13.4 per cent of the total final consumption expenditure.

The value of imported foodstuffs last year was €399.6 million, a rise of 1.7 per cent compared to 2009. Food exports went up by 94.9 per cent to an estimated value of €135.7 million compared to 2009, caused by a significant hike of 371.8 per cent in fish exports.

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