Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Anton Refalo has launched a new digital platform for the sale of vegetables, fruit and other agricultural products outside the Pitkalija. This initiative will facilitate direct sales by agricultural producers, improve transparency, and provide a very advantageous tax rate.
This initiative is part of the Government’s plan and part of the National Agricultural Policy, and also aligns with the objectives of the Malta Vision 2050. This digital platform will bring agricultural producers and consumers closer together, while promoting local food production and reducing environmental impact.
Minister Refalo explained that through the platform, new opportunities will be created for farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers, among others, especially for direct sales to restaurants, grocery stores, schools, among others, in an organized and transparent environment.
The collection of data on the weight and volume of agricultural products sold will help the Malta Food Agency as well as agricultural producers themselves to better understand market trends and consumer preferences. This data will be essential for strategic planning, informed decision-making and improving efficiency in the sector.
The minister announced that agricultural producers will be able to benefit from a 3% tax rate on recorded sales, as currently applies to sales through the Pitkalija. In addition, the platform will make tax compliance easier.
“This platform will not only provide a modern tool in the hands of our agricultural producers, but will also help to strengthen the market so that it is more transparent, there is better organization, and it will lead to a stronger agricultural sector for the benefit of the whole of society,” concluded Minister Refalo.
Chief Executive of the Malta Food Agency, Brian Vella, added, “With the digital platform the Malta Food Agency is placing producers at the centre of our agricultural economy, giving them tools and more favourable tax rates and a stronger voice to continue to sustain our land and communities”.
By collecting reliable information, the ministry will be in a better position to understand the realities of the agricultural sector and plan support for the sector more efficiently.
