Food Imports

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Questions (154, 155, 156)

Seamus Kirk

Question:

155 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value and volume of potato chips and other potato-related imports in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6999/12]

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Seamus Kirk

Question:

156 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is any import substitution initiative for potato chips products being considered by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7000/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.

Imports of potatoes and potato products into Ireland for the years 2008-2010 are presented in the table below. In relation to fresh potatoes, the major imports are in respect of new season and baby potatoes and in the last few years a number of Irish growers have started to produce baby potatoes.

My Department recognises the major challenge in tackling these levels of imports. We have been engaged in discussions with various parties including other State Agencies, growers and manufacturers to make progress in reducing these levels. I am satisfied that the major focus of our efforts should be on fresh potatoes and chips, where the major volumes of imports occur.

I am currently examining the report of the group established to oversee the implementation of the horticultural recommendations in the Harvest 2020 Report. My colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture, Mr. Shane Mc Entee is ensuring the maximum contribution of horticulture to the Irish economy.

	Imports
	Jan-Dec 2008	Jan-Dec 2009	Jan-Dec 2010
Descriptions	€000	Tonnes	€000	Tonnes	€000	Tonnes
Potatoes, fresh or chilled (not including sweet potatoes)	25,848	52,212	22,840	58,021	27,433	66,326
Flour and meal of potatoes	2,033	1,330	1,610	1,485	4,143	6,537
Flakes, granules and pellets of potatoes	354	401	305	338	1,765	801
Potatoes prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen	41,682	52,949	41,576	49,717	39,255	54,961
Potatoes prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen	46,192	15,399	46,069	15,272	44,705	12,326
Grand Total	116,109	122,291	112,400	124,833	117,301	140,951

Seamus Kirk

Question:

157 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of fresh fruit and vegetables imports in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7001/12]

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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney)

Imports of fresh fruit and vegetables into Ireland for the years 2008-2010 are presented in the table below.

My Department continues to encourage the production of fruit and vegetables in Ireland and in the Budget I announced the provision of €3.25 million of grant aid for the commercial horticultural sector for 2012. In addition, my Department administers the EU Producer Organisation Scheme.

Imports of fruit and vegetables into Ireland 2008-2010

	2008	2009	2010
Product1	Value €m	Tonnage 000s	Value €m	Tonnage 000s	Value €m	Tonnage 000s
Apples	54,547	65,413	48,914	58,871	47,934	53,271
Strawberries	22,074	5,725	20,833	5,836	18,421	4,138
Total other Fruit	439,256	375,031	364,110	345,563	389,782	354,890

Potatoes	116,109	122,291	112,400	124,833	117,087	140,549
Carrots	13,082	19,072	16,849	25,283	14,451	23,474
Cabbage	18,935	19,629	20,736	20,932	22,356	21,952
Tomatoes	56,419	55,094	53,037	51,627	54,179	48,571
Onions	29,328	57,523	20,489	41,286	26,157	44,738
Total other Vegetables	164,328	132,215	193,091	150,402	219,677	162,909
Total Fruit and Vegetable Imports	914,078	851,993	850,459	824,633	910,044	854,492

1includes fresh/dried