A new olive processing facility in Rabat has opened, backed by an investment of more than €930,000 from BSS and aimed at modernising olive oil production across Malta. The project is co-financed by European funds under Malta's Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan.

The facility introduces advanced processing technology intended to lift productivity, quality and innovation in olive oil production. Around 2,000 farms and olive growers are expected to use it each year. The investment is meant to give local farmers better access to processing services and a stronger place in the value chain.

Keith Azzopardi Tanti, Minister for EU Funds, Social Dialogue and Consumer Protection, attended the inauguration of the project, titled Innovation and Sustainability for Maltese Olive Oil Production. "When we invest European funds in agriculture, we are investing in the work and future of our farmers," he said. He added that the project gives farmers access to more modern technology, helping them improve the quality of their produce and strengthen their position in the market.

Anton Refalo, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, called the investment another step towards strengthening Malta's agricultural sector and olive oil production in particular. He said farmers need the tools, infrastructure and opportunities to continue improving their produce and become more competitive. He added that investments of this kind help draw young people into agriculture and let them see the sector as a real opportunity for their future, with the aim of building a more sustainable, innovative and robust sector for coming generations.

Kurt Grima, General Manager of BSS Ltd, said the family business believed Malta's olive-growing tradition deserved a strong future. He said that through this investment, they are offering growers in Malta and Gozo modern technology to turn their olives into quality oil, adding that whether one has three trees or three hundred, they are there to support them.