asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, in respect of each month of the years 1948 and 1949 (1) the c.i.f. price of imported maize; (2) the price per ton charged the consumer for maize, and (3) the retail price per cwt. of maize meal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Imported Maize.
The average c.i.f. prices per ton of maize imported during 1948 and 1949 were approximately as follows:—
|
1948 |
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
January |
20 |
16 |
0 |
|
February |
21 |
4 |
0 |
|
March |
20 |
19 |
0 |
|
April |
20 |
11 |
0 |
|
May |
20 |
11 |
0 |
|
June |
20 |
10 |
0 |
|
July |
19 |
7 |
0 |
|
August and September No imports. |
|||
|
October, November, December: The maize imported during this period was obtained on loan from the British Government. This loan was repaid at the beginning of 1949 with maize purchased at an average c.i.f. price of approximately £19 7s. 0d. per ton. |
|
1949 |
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
January |
18 |
13 |
0 |
|
February |
18 |
11 |
0 |
|
March |
19 |
0 |
0 |
|
April |
18 |
15 |
0 |
|
May |
19 |
0 |
0 |
|
June |
19 |
5 |
0 |
|
July |
18 |
14 |
0 |
|
August |
17 |
18 |
0 |
|
September |
17 |
6 |
0 |
|
October |
19 |
10 |
0 |
|
November |
21 |
8 |
0 |
|
December |
21 |
3 |
0 |
During 1948 the wholesale and retail prices of maize meal were controlled, the maximum prices chargeable being as follows:—
|
Wholesale price per ton (Port area) |
Retail price per cwt. (Port area) |
||||
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
s. |
d. |
|
|
January/February |
24 |
5 |
0 |
26 |
0 |
|
March |
24 |
17 |
6 |
26 |
8 |
|
April/December |
25 |
17 |
6 |
27 |
8 |
In non-port areas a sum not exceeding 16/- per ton to cover transport costs might be added to the wholesale price, while the retail price might be increased by 1/- per cwt.
At the beginning of 1949 the Order relating to maize meal prices was revoked, and since then the wholesale and retail prices in each district have been determined by the amount of competition existing in the district. I am unable to give weighted average wholesale and retail prices for each month of 1949. Maize meal was and is being sold in certain areas in County Cork at 23/6 per cwt. and elsewhere at 24/- per cwt. and upwards.