Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vegetable Imports.

Bernard Allen

Question:

4 Mr. Allen asked the Taoiseach the tonnage and value of processed vegetables imported into this country in each of the years from 1987 to 1992 giving details by each type of vegetable.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to circulate a statement giving the required information up to May 1992, the latest date for which details are available.

Following is the statement:

Imports of Processed Vegetables²

Description	1987¹	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992 (Jan-May)
Frozen vegetables
Tonnes		47,858	53,139	49,949	52,038	19,063
£000		25,730	26,854	26,502	27,934	10,842
Preserved vegetables unfit for immediate consumption
Tonnes		508	342	323	438	214
£000		375	428	312	442	180
Dried vegetables
Tonnes		1,175	1,016	1,076	972	355
£000		1,851	1,792	1,773	1,737	783
Dried leguminous vegetables
Tonnes		31,055	26,391	41,645	29,621	27,243
£000		5,475	6,349	7,428	6,995	5,378
Root and tubers with high starch or inulin content, fresh or dried
Tonnes		56,066	65,717	54,169	43,245	19,302
£000		6,638	7,572	5,774	4,769	2,521
All vegetables preserved by vinegar
Tonnes		1,664	2,158	2,398	2,526	915
£000		1,547	1,887	2,248	2,611	1,061
Tomatoes preserved other than by vinegar
Tonnes		5,402	5,640	5,603	6,845	3,084
£000		2,761	3,524	3,550	4,008	1,429
Mushrooms, etc., preserved other than by vinegar
Tonnes		47	44	98	64	40
£000		68	38	101	110	56
Other vegetables preserved other than by vinegar (frozen)
Tonnes		4,897	4,260	10,725	12,919	7,166
£000		3,826	3,584	6,585	7,646	4,004
Other vegetables preserved other than by vinegar (not frozen)
Tonnes		15,816	16,891	18,853	17,606	7,363
£000		10,076	10,576	11,069	11,456	5,035
TOTAL
TONNES	122,397	164,488	175,598	184,839	166,274	84,745
£000	50,278	58,347	62,604	65,342	67,708	31,289

1. Due to classification changes in 1988 comparable detail is not available for 1987. The total figure is, however, comparable.

2. Commodity detail from external trade statistics does not include (a) transactions (non-dutiable) of less than £200; (b) trade by firms operating in Shannon Free Airport; and (c) postal packages not covered by customs entries.

Bernard Allen

Question:

5 Mr. Allen asked the Taoiseach the tonnage and value of fresh vegetables imported into this country in each of the years from 1987 to 1992 giving details by each type of vegetable.

Mr. Dempsey

I propose to circulate a statement giving the required information up to May 1992, the latest date for which details are available.

Following is the statement:

Imports of Fresh Vegetables²

Description	1987¹	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992 (Jan-May)
Potatoes, fresh or chilled
Tonnes		32,987	83,847	55,246	54,847	47,866
£000		4,551	12,035	9,466	10,098	7,321
Tomatoes, fresh or chilled
Tonnes		10,963	11,734	11,356	11,696	6,136
£000		9,909	9,567	10,389	10,635	5,380
Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks, etc.
Tonnes		21,241	20,840	19,396	19,602	7,253
£000		3,667	3,937	4,504	4,549	1,978
Cabbage and other brassicas
Tonnes		7,551	8,489	8,363	9,321	4,073
£000		2,611	2,893	3,025	4,398	1,739
Lettuce, chicory, etc.
Tonnes		1,311	1,578	1,935	2,408	1,784
£000		1,217	1,431	1,577	1,906	1,380
Carrots, turnips and edible roots
Tonnes		6,596	9,622	9,129	11,515	4,931
£000		2,031	2,320	2,861	3,834	1,183
Cucumbers and gherkins
Tonnes		920	878	1,010	875	410
£000		743	719	812	701	427
Leguminous vegetables
Tonnes		560	901	1,280	4,538	525
£000		377	508	774	1,441	289
Mushrooms, truffles and other vegetables n.e.s.
Tonnes		3,182	3,505	4,001	7,665	4,876
£000		3,525	3,924	4,566	7,373	4,789
TOTAL
TONNES	102,284	85,311	141,394	111,716	122,467	77,854
£000	30,206	28,631	37,334	37,974	44,935	24,486

1. Due to classification changes in 1988 comparable detail is not available for 1987. The total figure is, however, comparable.

2. Commodity detail from external trade statistics does not include (a) transactions (non-dutiable) of less than £200; (b) trade by firms operating in Shannon Free Airport; and (c) postal packages not covered by customs entries.

Mr. Kavanagh

Having regard to the statistics the Minister has in front of him, is there any evidence of dumping of fruit or vegetables from abroad on the Irish market, seeing that such a large amount of fruit is being destroyed in the European Community?

Mr. Dukes

He has not a clue, Liam.

Mr. Dempsey

I cannot say. I just have statistics here.

An Ceann Comhairle

Let us now deal with Priority Questions to the Minister for the Environment. Let us strive earnestly to complete these five questions within the time stipulated by Standing Orders, 15 minutes only.