@lovinmaltaofficial He donated 500kg to local charities… but made zero profit 👀 Thoughts? 🤔 #fyp #fypmalta #lovinmalta #maltatiktok #LovinMalta #malta #fypmalta🇲🇹 ♬ original sound – Lovin Malta

Local producers have long warned of the impact relying on foreign imports of food that is grown locally will have on Maltese farmers and the island’s food security

Speaking to Lovin Malta, Muscat said he had donated around 500kg of cherry tomatoes to organisations like Caritas, but made zero profit from the entire crop. 

However, Muscat’s desperate online plea led to a slew of comments, with many wondering what can be done to ensure Malta continues to produce food, and doesn’t become totally reliant on imports.

“There’s a need for this situation to be investigated,” said one person. “Has the mafia also infiltrated the pitkalija? Who is benefitting from foreign products being sold locally? Not everyone prefers imports, but how can you buy local when the local products don’t even make it out of the farmer’s market?”

Muscat responded to this, saying: “As far as the farmer’s market is concerned, the vendors aren’t to blame here. This is because of a series of bad decisions, and total lack of control.”

With other producers – including watermelon producers – often times forced to waste fresh products after failing to sell them, farmers are calling for better controls on the market to ensure that local producers aren’t shouldered out completely.

But for Muscat, all his work and investment to create a beautiful Maltese product that no one wanted stings deep: “Thousands of euros in costs to finally create and move the product to its final stage, just so you throw it all away.”

Do you think local products are appreciated enough in Malta?