Bernard J. Durkan
Question:102 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the new overseas markets identified for dairy, meat and meat products in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14183/03]
Written Answers. - Food Exports.
As regards the dairy sector, Irish dairy products are sold in over 100 countries world-wide with the EU accounting for the majority, 70% to 80%, of these sales. EU enlargement has paved the way for another 106 million consumers to join the single market, thus further increasing the importance of this market for Irish exporters.
The identification of new market opportunities is essentially a matter for the industry. However, my Department maintains close contact with the industry to assist in overcoming potential barriers to trade, forging new trade links, and developing effective international relationships.
In the course of the past year Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Hungary have lifted their bans on the importation of Irish beef. My Department, together with An Bord Bia, continues to make intensive efforts to open other important markets such as the Gulf States, South Africa and Indonesia. In the case of pigmeat, the Japanese and Korean markets were reopened in the past year while attempts to negotiate access to the Chinese and Australian markets are ongoing. The EU is a deficit area for sheepmeat, being a net importer of lamb and consequently exports to non-EU countries do not arise.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:103 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the total export of dairy, meat and meat products in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14184/03]
Exports of dairy, meat and meat products in each of the past five years were as follows:
|
Year |
Dairy Products(tonnes) |
Beef and Beef Products(tonnes) |
Pigmeat(tonnes) |
Sheepmeat(tonnes) |
|
2002 |
562,000 |
445,000 |
113,000 |
41,000 |
|
2001 |
521,000 |
345,000 |
126,000 |
53,000 |
|
2000 |
639,000 |
495,000 |
115,000 |
49,000 |
|
1999 |
583,000 |
554,000 |
119,000 |
55,000 |
|
1998 |
573,000 |
510,000 |
130,000 |
52,000 |
The difficult world market situation for dairy products in the latter part of 2001, caused by a general economic slowdown, continued into 2002. A period of stabilisation of the market for dairy products, with the already seen increases in price and demand for SMP and butter, should maintain the improvement which began at the end of 2002 into 2003.
In the case of beef, following a peak in exports in 1999, there was a significant drop in 2000 which can be partly attributed to the BSE crisis in mainland Europe late that year. This situation was exacerbated in 2001 by the outbreak of foot and mouth and the closure of many international markets to EU beef. Exports in 2002 have recovered substantially.