80% of food and beverage export companies are Maltese-owned

A study on the Maltese food and beverage industry has revealed that only 12% of exporters have a turnover of between €1 and €5 million and less than 30% employ between 10 and 100 workers.

The information was released by Trade Malta, a public-private partnership between Projects Malta and the Chamber of Commerce.

According to Trade Malta, the results of the study – carried out during the first quarter of 2016 with a special focus on uncovering the internationalisation intentions of Malta-based companies – many exporters envisage a stable outlook in employment.

The sector is dominated mainly by Maltese companies, where 80% of the companies are Maltese-owned. The majority of the companies were established in the 1990s and they are typically either large, or small.

“Less 
than 30% employ between 10 and 100 workers and only 12% have a turnover between €1 and €5 million,” Trade Malta said.

None of the respondents predicted any significant changes in employment or 
turnover.

Although 82% of the respondents are exporting, less than 20% report that this has translates into more 
than 45% of their turnover. “There are, in other words, many small exporters in this 
sector but few big ones,” Trade Malta said.

The target regions for the surveyed companies are predominantly 
in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa region, indicating a strong preference for 
markets in close geographical proximity.

Quality of the product is clearly the most important competitive parameter for 
companies in this sector, with all participating companies confirming this.

The respondents, the study showed confirmed that a major challenge was to 
internationalise. Elements such as transport costs and cost of raw materials also pose a challenge for 
companies wanting to export their products.

Respondents were also asked on how Trade Malta could help, with many referring to financial support to 
participate in trade fairs and overseas travel but also to help introduce potential clients as well as assistance in conducting research and development.

Individuals interested in obtaining an electronic version of the report on the study are kindly requested to 
contact Trade Malta on: [email protected]