asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the value of imported foodstuffs in (i) 1987 and (ii) 1988; and the value of foodstuffs imported in both years which could reasonably have been produced in this country.
Written Answers. - Imported Foodstuffs.
34.
In 1987 and 1988 the value of food and live animal imports was £990 million and £1,066 million respectively. I would point out also that this country's exports of food and live animals totalled £2,676 millions and £2,901 million in 1987 and 1988 respectively and that much of that trade went to countries that could physically have produced those goods themselves. It is not possible to make a precise estimate of the value of foodstuffs which could reasonably have been produced in this country; however one estimate made by the IDA in its study Supplying the Supermarkets indicated that there is the possibility of domestically producing up to £200 million worth of food imports.
In many cases, it is more profitable for Irish producers to concentrate on producing goods for export rather than to attempt to supply the whole variety of products required in our relatively small domestic market.