asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will make a statement in relation to the potential of meat and processed dairy exports to Nigeria and other emergent countries in Africa.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meat and Processed Dairy Exports to Africa.
12.
As the Deputy is aware, per capita consumption of meat and dairy products in Nigeria and other emergent African countries is extremely small and the quantities of such products currently being imported by them are rather limited. According as standards of living improve consumption of these and other protein foods will undoubtedly rise. Though this should provide new opportunities for trade by food exporting countries such as Ireland, the general opinion is that the emergent countries will continue to meet the bulk of their increasing requirements from indigenous production, through development of their own considerable resources. I can assure the Deputy that the potentialities of these markets are being kept under constant review and that advantage will be taken of any opportunities which present themselves for expanding exports to the area.