Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the proportion of fish sold here that is imported. [25400/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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In 2007 total imports of fish for human consumption were valued at €171 million. As total sales of seafood through the domestic market in 2007 amounted to €394 million, the figure for import sales represents forty three percent. An analysis of total sales indicates that the retail sector accounted for €181 million, while sales through the food service sector accounted for €213 million.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the proportion of food sold and consumed here that is produced in Ireland. [25401/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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According to estimates from the Central Statistics Office, gross output from the manufacture of food and beverage products in 2005 amounted to €18 billion.

Ireland is self sufficient in the majority of agricultural commodities and over 80% of agricultural output is exported. Given this situation of comparative and competitive advantage in terms of agri-production, Ireland engages in and benefits from trade in the agri-food sector. Agri-food related exports in 2007 totalled approximately €9bn. Ireland also imports agri-food produce from its trading partners. Agri-food related imports in 2007 were estimated at approximately €6.2bn.