Vegetable production down 38% between 2001 and 2021

Malta’s vegetable production decreased by 38% between 2001 and 2021, a research paper that examined weather trends shows.

The paper, compiled by George Attard, Charles Galdies, and Anthony Meli, examined temperature and precipitation trends, agricultural production and agricultural land use between 2001 and 2021.

The study showed that autumns and winters in Malta are gradually becoming warmer, with October noted as the consistently warmest month in those seasons.

When it comes to rainfall, the research showed 2020 and 2021 saw less rainfall across a number of months. When looking at data gathered from the two decades, researchers noted a reduction in December rainfall, as well as less rain during crucial agricultural months.

If the trends persist, farmers will be forced to increase their irrigation capabilities, while the milder climate might indicate pest infestations that arrive earlier in the year than usual.

When it comes to utilised agricultural area, the study saw a 19% increase between 2001 and 2016, as this rose by about 2,300 hectares. However, by 2020, the utilised agricultural area had decreased by 10%.

The change in Malta’s climate pointed toward a clear 38% decline in vegetable production, equivalent to 31,600 tonnes of produce, with 2019 marking the start of a sharper decline in production.

The research showed that as temperatures rose in autumn and winter, potato yields shrunk, as did cultivated agricultural areas, while a reduction in rainfall led to reduced cereal output. Specifically, cereals, potatoes, and vines were among the products revealed to be climatically vulnerable throughout the 20-year study.

Interestingly, tomato production wasn’t hit as hard by rising temperatures, which suggests that the effect was cushioned by irrigation. Fruit production, on the other hand, saw an increase, especially when it comes to grape output.

The research paper noted that modernised water management and adapting to changing climate trends are ways producers can combat the impact of climate change.

Following this year’s scorching hot summer, farmers had told MaltaToday that they foresee a “bleak” future for their industry. The farmers noted that their products are simply not adapted to such heat, and that this is evident in the quality and quantity of their crops.

The heat and dry conditions also mean that farmers face increased costs in order to adequately water their crops. All the while, farmers must compete with cheaper produce imported from abroad.

The heat is also placing a heavy burden on dairy producers, who are looking toward measures such as cooling systems for their cows to combat the effects of rising temperatures. Higher temperatures cause cows to produce less milk, a situation that prompted Benna, the largest milk producer, to advise customers earlier this month that some of its products may have to be rationed.