31 May - 6 June 2001

‘Monkey business’ at produce market

by Ivan Brincat

The Association of General Retailers and Traders will hold a meeting for around 1,000 vegetable sellers at the Trade Fair Corporation next Sunday over the “confusion” that exists at the Pitkali in Ta’ Qali.
GRTU director general Vince Farrugia told The Malta Business Weekly the association was prepared to issue directives to its members over the state of affairs at the market.
The situation is worrying because according to the latest GDP figures released, there was a drop of around Lm500,000 in agriculture.
The pitkal is technically an auctioneer. Suppliers leave their produce at around 1.30pm and then buyers are allowed to choose the produce.
At 4pm consumers are allowed to go into the market and buy a box of vegetables or fruits.
However, Mr Farrugia said major buyers are going in before as if they are working part-time and they pick the best crop before the produce buyers arrive.
“There is a lot of ‘monkey business’ going on in there and the GRTU is striving to create some sense in the system. However, the whole structure of management is not functioning well,” Mr Farrugia said.
The GRTU will therefore hold a meeting for produce sellers next Sunday at the Trade Fair grounds. The association is also prepared to issue directives to ensure there is fair competition.
“Vegetable sellers are angry because the situation is going from bad to worse and the way the place is managed leaves a lot to be desired.”
Meanwhile, operators claim that the contribution of agriculture to GDP is more than the 2.5 per cent figure which is claimed.
Sources told The Malta Business Weekly that an investigation should be carried out because not all produce is being sold from the Pitkali. “Some buy from the Pitkali but then go and pick other items from individual producers. These are not accounted for anywhere and are also not taxed,” the sources said.