Milk supply increases by 2.4% since Malta’s accession in the EU

Study looks into the challenges faced by the Milk production sector in the first ten years of Malta's EU membership

Research published by the University of Malta has revealed that the country has seen a 2.4% increase in milk production between 2003 and 2013.

The study, carried out by the head of the Economy department within the University of Malta, Dr Philip von Brockdorff and General Manager of the Milk producers’ corporation Gaetano Buttigieg, was presented to Environment Minister Leo Brincat earlier today.

Brincat explained that the study looked at the challenges the sector of milk production has had to face for the first ten years since Malta became a European member state.

“The study clearly shows that the sector went through a strong upgrading and consolidation process to improve its efficiency, quality and competitivity in the sector,” Brincat explained.

Brincat said that the strategic importance of the sector in terms of GDP contribution was disproportionate to the size of the industry in Malta.

“Although it is a very small industry, and the number of licensed producers has dropped, it is a heritage that the country needs to preserve and safeguard,” Brincat said, adding that although the number of workers in the sector had dropped, supply had actually increased.

Brincat said that the transformation of the industry had encountered various issues including natural as well as structural disadvantages, with many workers preferring traditional methods rather than more competitive and technological ones.

"The first ten years, were naturally the most challenging period as they involved a vast transition period, but we must continue to face challenges and keep up the current momentum of transformation,” Brincat added.

Von Brockdorff explained that the study had shown that the industry had seen a substantial €57 million investment to help bring about the necessary changes.

“The efficiency of the sector has also increased considerably,” von Brockdorff added. “ The number of cows has dropped, but the supply has remained the same.”

He explained that one of the sector’s most difficult challenges was the rise in imports, given the highly competitive foreign industries.

“Luckily Maltese people continued to opt for local products, however,” he noted.

Buttigieg also pointed out that a large portion of the investment had gone into teaching and training methods, to promote a better and wider understanding of standards and society needs.