Malta Imports Around 70% Of its Food, But How Much Do We Depend On Sicily?

Ever wondered how much of the food in your fridge actually comes from abroad?

The recent truck drivers’ strike in Sicily and southern Italy, which disrupted supermarket deliveries in Malta, has raised an important question: just how dependent are we on our neighbours for the food we eat?

According to Malta’s Strategy for Resilient Food Systems 2025–2034, published in 2025, the country relies on imports for approximately 70% of its food.

And while not all these imports originate in Sicily, the neighbouring island serves as an important transport gateway for goods reaching Malta.

Why Is Italy So Important?

Italy is one of Malta’s major food suppliers. According to figures published by the Italian Embassy, Italy exported approximately €445 million worth of agricultural and food products to Malta in 2025.

However, this figure covers Italy as a whole, rather than Sicily specifically.

What Happened During The Strike?

On Tuesday, 20th October, shoppers at Eurospin in Mosta encountered nearly empty supermarket shelves following disruptions linked to the truck drivers’ strike.

Fresh produce, meat and dairy sections were among those affected, although locally produced milk remained available.

However, the disruption was not experienced equally across Malta.

Other supermarket operators, including Lidl and Wellbee’s, reported that their operations had not been affected at the time.

What Does This Tell Us About Malta’s Food Supply?

The situation highlights how disruptions to international transport routes can affect the availability of everyday products in Malta.

While Malta imports approximately 70% of its food, this does not mean that 70% comes from Sicily.

The exact proportion of Malta’s food imports originating in Sicily, or transported through the island, has not been established by the figures cited.

Nevertheless, the recent disruption demonstrates the importance of reliable transport connections for Malta’s food supply.

Do you think Malta should become less dependent on imported food?

#MaltaDaily