Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
140 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the efforts his Department will make to promote Irish fruit and vegetable production; if he is concerned that the market share of Irish vegetable production is declining; if imports of fruit and vegetables are increasing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4933/04]
View answerAn Bord Glas has a statutory role in developing and assisting the production of fruit and vegetables. The board is involved in promoting production at all levels, including encouraging the formation of producer organisations to enable producers to meet the demands of the centralised supply system now in operation. The board also works with the organic development group and this is an area which is showing significant growth. Routine inquiries on production are dealt with on a daily basis by the board.
My Department promotes fruit and vegetable production through the EU funded producer organisation scheme and under the grant scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture under the national development plan. In 2003, there were 17 fruit and vegetable producer organisations in operation and they were in receipt of EU payments totalling €3.78 million. An amount of €1.437 million was also paid out under the NDP scheme in respect of 117 fruit and vegetable projects in 2003.
In general, Ireland is 70% self-sufficient in vegetables with this figure rising to 90% in season. While the market share of Irish vegetable production is declining and imports are increasing, this is due in part to the demand by consumers for more exotic products, which are not grown in Ireland for climatic and economic reasons. Overall consumption of vegetables is however increasing and the value of retail sales stands at €322 million. Growth areas include prepared and organic produce and the food service sector is showing significant growth.
