Malta Food Agency has organised a conference themed ‘The evolution of local food markets’.

The conference was opened by Brian Vella, CEO at Malta Food Agency, who explained the work being done by the agency and its strategic plans to ensure sustainability of the local food sector, and to achieve the vision of delivering a quality and valuable local food product to different markets.

The agency was established in 2021 by the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights.

In the past year, it managed to attain several milestones that strengthened its foundation and led to an evolution of its operations, positively impacting its markets and local food producers.

Since 2020, the sales turnover in the fruit and vegetables market, operated by Malta Food Agency, has seen an increase of 13 per cent while contributing to an added 17 per cent of profitability to farmers. A more efficient operation led to a decrease of seven per cent in food waste generation.

Malta Food Agency Chief Officer for Project and Operations Josef Vella presented how the agency overcame challenges since its inception and how it is evolving into a forward-looking agency, comparing the transitory period towards sustainable farm to fork supply chain with a seed growing along various stages into a tree producing fruits.

Justin John Camilleri, Chief Business Development Officer, explained the identified priorities by the agency and how going forward, it will become a platform for business in agriculture and fisheries, setting out a roadmap of how Malta Food Agency will work hand in hand with its stakeholders to create a business ecosystem.

The event was moderated by Keith Demicoli and panel members included The Malta Chamber CEO Marthese Portelli, Malta Chamber of SMEs CEO Abigail Mamo, Farmer and Coordinator at Ghaqda Bdiewa Attivi Malcolm Borg, MCESD Civil Society Committee Member Catherine Camilleri, Fisherman and Member of the Board of Fisheries Jesmark Scicluna, and Ambassador for Organic and Sustainable Food Sonya Sammut.