Malta
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| AGRICULTURE |
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The contribution of agriculture sector to the economy of Malta is low due to the climatic and geological difficulties faced by the country. Agriculture constitutes only 2.3% to its GDP and employs only 1.7% of country's active population (as against an average of 4.3% in the European Union). Nearly 75% of the island's food requirements are met through import of the agricultural products.
The main crops are vegetables which include potatoes and cereals. Cattle and pig raising constitute a major part of the agricultural activity.
For more information on the agricultural sector of Malta, you can consult :
- The Agricultural Department of Ministry of Rural Affairs and Environment.
- A survey conducted in 2001 by the Mediterranean research institute on agricultural market of Malta
- The country records on the agriculture of Malta prepared in 2002 by the European Commission.
Agricultural population (in thousands)
Total population
396
Agricultural population
5
Non agricultural population
390
Source : 2004, FAOSTAT
Land use
Cultivated surface area
11 000
Irrigated surface area
2 000
Number of farms
11 070
Number of tractors
500
Source : 2003, FAOSTAT
Production indicators
Main crops
| Product | Production (in thousands) | Harvested surface (1000 ha) | Yield by hectare (kg/ha) |
| Potatoes | 25 | 1 | 26247 |
| Tomatoes | 15 | 0 | 52346 |
| Wheat | 9 | 2 | 4273 |
| Onions dry | 7 | 0 | 19952 |
| Pumpkins, squash and gourds | 6 | 0 | 25232 |
Source : 2005, FAOSTAT
Livestock
| Specie | Headcount (in thousands) |
| Chickens | 1000 |
| Rabbits and hares | 180 |
| Pigs | 73 |
| Cattle | 18 |
| Sheep | 15 |
Source : 2005, FAOSTAT
Fishing (in metric tons)
| Shellfish, mollusks and cephalopods | Saltwater fish | Freshwater fish |
| 41 | 2 130 | n.c. |
Source : 2005, FAOSTAT