asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will indicate the likely prospects for the dairy products industry during 1968, with particular reference to (a) milk production and (b) export markets.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dairy Products Industry.
6.
Given satisfactory weather conditions, the intake of milk at creameries and other manufacturing premises this year should exceed last year's record intake of 473 million gallons. The general outlook in export markets, however, is not equally encouraging. Access to many markets is limited by variable levies, quantitative import control or other restrictions and, as a result of the expansion of milk production in many countries, the pressure on such export market outlets as are available has increased greatly and prices in those markets are tending to weaken.
Is the Minister aware that the price of powdered milk on the market has dropped from £120 per ton to between £50 and £60 per ton?
I do not know exactly. This may be so. It has certainly been on a downward trend for some little time.