This week’s policy developments point to a common challenge for Gozo: higher costs, structural constraints and generational pressures are increasingly shaping the viability of both farming and fishing.
Five developments are particularly relevant to GCAF’s work, ranging from Malta’s latest agricultural accounts to major EU decisions on the future CAP and fisheries funding.
Malta agriculture: higher support, but margins remain under pressure
Malta’s Economic Accounts for Agriculture 2025, published by the National Statistics Office, show agricultural output falling marginally by 0.1% to €141.8 million, while intermediate consumption increased by 0.9% to €87.9 million.
Gross value added consequently declined by 1.7% to €53.9 million. Although support increased by 4.7% to €28.7 million, net entrepreneurial income still fell by 0.7%. Livestock-meat output declined by 1.8%, energy and fuel expenditure increased by 1.0%, and wages rose by 10.6%.
For GCAF, the figures reinforce an important point: increasing the headline level of agricultural support does not necessarily improve farm viability when production costs and other pressures continue to rise.
Budget 2027 measures should therefore place greater emphasis on reducing structural costs through water and energy investment, livestock resilience, productivity improvements and measures that strengthen producer margins.
The figures are national, however, and do not provide a clear picture of Gozo. GCAF believes there is a strong case for developing regular Malta/Gozo agricultural economic accounts or a specific Gozo agricultural viability annex.
Post-2027 CAP negotiations enter an important phase
EU agriculture ministers have moved negotiations on the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy towards a partial Council position expected later in October.
Issues under discussion include simplification, payment capping and degressivity, and crucially the future definitions of a “farmer” and an “active farmer”. Ministers also discussed high input costs, drought, water management and targeted resilience measures.
These discussions are particularly important for Gozo.
Future definitions and eligibility rules must recognise the reality of genuine agricultural activity on small, fragmented and sometimes part-time holdings. Rules designed around larger continental farm structures could unintentionally disadvantage legitimate Gozitan producers.
GCAF therefore believes Malta should seek an explicit small-farm and island test when assessing future CAP rules, together with sufficient flexibility to address drought, water scarcity and other island-specific constraints.
Future EU fisheries funding creates an opportunity for Gozo
The Council has also agreed its negotiating position on future EU support for fisheries, aquaculture and maritime activities for 2028–2034.
The emerging framework provides scope for vessel modernisation, energy transition, improved working conditions, generational renewal and specific treatment for small-scale coastal fishing. The resilience of coastal communities and small-scale fleets is explicitly recognised.
This provides a strong policy basis for Malta to develop a dedicated Gozo small-scale fisheries package within its future programme.
Such a package could include support for young fishers and succession, vessel acquisition and modernisation, safety and low-emission equipment, improved infrastructure at Mġarr and simpler access to funding for small operators.
Greater flexibility at national level means that the way Malta designs its programme will become even more important.
Climate-resilient crops need markets, not just trials
A new EU CAP Network report examines alternative crops and new market opportunities under changing climatic conditions.
Experience from 20 Member States suggests that crop diversification can strengthen climate resilience and support lower-input food production. But introducing new crops successfully requires more than experimental planting: farmers also need technical advice, processing possibilities and reliable markets.
For Gozo, GCAF sees potential for a small-island crop demonstration programme testing drought- and heat-tolerant crops as well as suitable local genetic resources.
Successful trials could then be linked with local processing, Gozo branding, tourism, restaurants and public procurement.
The objective should not simply be to encourage farmers to grow something different. It should be to create a viable farm-to-market pathway that reduces rather than transfers risk.
EU consultation on training standards for fishers
The European Commission has opened a call for evidence on possible common European safety, training and certification standards for fishers.
The initiative seeks to address differences between national systems, difficulties recognising qualifications, labour shortages and the challenge of attracting younger people into fishing.
Evidence can be submitted until 29 October 2026.
GCAF supports efforts to improve safety and make qualifications more portable across Europe, but new requirements must remain proportionate for small-scale operators.
Training should be affordable and subsidised where necessary, available in Malta and Gozo, and structured in modular and practical formats. Recognition of professional experience should also form part of the system so that new certification requirements do not become another barrier to small-scale fishing.
GCAF perspective
Taken together, this week’s developments reinforce a consistent message.
Gozo needs agricultural and fisheries policies designed around viability, scale and island realities—not simply national or EU averages.
Whether the issue is CAP eligibility, fisheries investment, climate adaptation or professional training, small operators must be able to access support without being disadvantaged by systems designed primarily around larger farms, fleets or markets.
The coming weeks provide important opportunities for Malta and Gozo to influence these discussions, particularly ahead of further decisions on the post-2027 CAP and the development of the next generation of EU fisheries support.
Sources: National Statistics Office Malta; Council of the European Union; EU CAP Network; European Commission – Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.