Strong winds on Tuesday, January 20 2026 caused considerable damage to greenhouses and polytunnels in Malta, costing thousands of euros to repair or replace, farmers have reported. It was a double whammy for farmers in the Rabat area, who were still counting the cost of damage caused by an unusually heavy hailstorm early on Saturday. Stephen Bartolo, who runs a farm in Rabat, told Times of Malta that three of his greenhouses were damaged.
"One of them has a huge hole in the roof. In all cases, the plastic covering the greenhouses was torn off and is flapping in the wind like a flag," he said. The greenhouses are used for tomatoes, marrows and aubergines. Bartolo explained that because the crops are now exposed, fungus can easily spread and damage them, rendering them unfit for sale.
"Fixing the greenhouses will cost between €3,000 and €4,000. But if I factor in the loss of crops, the total damage will be around €5,000," he said.
A part-time farmer in Dingli said polytunnels used for strawberry crops were blown out of place. The strong winds also damaged his strawberry plants and potato crop. Polytunnels are tunnel-shaped structures covered in clear polyethene plastic, creating a mini-greenhouse to extend growing seasons and protect plants from pests and diseases.
Read more at Times of Malta
