There was a decline in the volume and wholesale value of fresh fruit and vegetables in the third quarter of this year when compared to the same period last year, according to the National Statistics Office.

Volume declined by 9.1 per cent to 13.2 million kilograms and wholesale value went down by 4.6 per cent to €4.70 million from €4.92 million last year.

The supply of fresh vegetables fell by 12 per cent while the wholesale value dropped by 8.9 per cent. The supply of fresh fruit, however, rose by 24.4 per cent. The wholesale value grew by 14.5 per cent in comparison with 2008.

Farmers supplied 11.3 million kilograms of fruit and vegetables in the third quarter, a drop of 6.2 per cent over the same period last year. The produce yielded €4.03 million, which accounted for 85.9 per cent of the total supply of fruit and vegetables.

Gozitan farmers supplied 1.9 million kilograms, a drop of 23.6 per cent, while the wholesale value of Gozitan produce declined by 10.1 per cent.