asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason frozen processed vegetable imports to this country have increased by approximately 169 per cent in volume terms in the past three years, if this trend is likely to continue and if he will outline its impact on Irish producers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vegetable Imports.
44.
The increase in imports is due to a rising demand for a wider range of frozen vegetables, particularly in the catering trade, which has not been met from home production. A major part of the import increase consisted of potato products which are not produced here. The frozen food industry is a high-cost production and distribution one in which economies of scale are an important feature. The upward trend in demand for frozen vegetables is expected to continue and the future for the Irish industry depends on the ability of manufacturers to broaden their range of production and to compete in a highly-competitive market.
Is the Minister satisfied that all that should be done is being done to produce these products in Ireland with a view to building an export base for frozen products from this country?
That is a matter for the firms involved in the processing industry; it is a matter for themselves. I would accept that more could be done and I hope more will be done.
Would the Minister agree to have a top level inquiry instituted into the very rapid increase in frozen food imports to this country which is affecting our balance of payments and our farming community? Would the Minister agree that this is a matter of the greatest urgency on which action should be taken by him and should not simply be left to manufactures, as seems to be the present intention?
The problems referred to by the Deputy arose in the years 1977 and 1978. The problems have now been reduced somewhat. We are assured that this year the acreage under vegetables is increasing so we would hope that this would lead to a reduction in imports.
Is the freezing capacity in this country sufficient to cope with the acreage?
As I have said, it is not a business that is engaged in to any great extent here. It is mainly air-drying and canning that is done here. The biggest problem in relation to imports was mainly in respect of potato products, frozen chips.
Have we the capacity to produce frozen chips in the event of the demand for them growing?
The information I have suggests that we do not have any firm at present. I thought I heard from some other source that there was a question of some factory being set up here.
Is the Minister satisfied with that situation?
Of course, I am not satisfied with that situation——
Then what is the Minister going to do about it?
I am calling Question No. 45. There have been sufficient supplementaries allowed on this question.
45.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the reason imports of fresh onions to this country has increased by 73 per cent in volume in the past three years, if this trend is likely to continue and if he will outline its impact on Irish producers.
Two difficult seasons were experienced by onion growers throughout Europe in marketing the 1977 and 1978 crops. This was due to heavy supplies and low prices. This situation, coupled with the inclement planting conditions in the spring of 1979, resulted in a sharp decline in the acreage of onions in this country last year and a corresponding increase in imports. Market prices in the current season have been considerably better and should provide the basis for increased production this year and, I would hope, reduced imports.
Question No. 46 for written reply.