Written answers

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

Department of Agriculture and Food

Agriculture Sector

Photo of Arthur MorganArthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 456: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the volume of produce exported in each of the past five years by product category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28187/09]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food publishes detailed data on Agri-Food trade based on CSO data. This data is published in the Compendium of Agriculture Statistics on an annual basis. The Compendium is available under the Publications section of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie The table gives export details, in terms of the tonnage exported, for a selected range of key product categories.

20042005200620072008
Volume exported in 000's of tonnes
Beef410.83398.02428.51432.87428.27
Sheepmeat53.6057.8254.9452.7944.39
Pigmeat104.29113.90124.83127.29122.67
Poultry94.2291.3187.2190.8397.40
Dairy Products, Caseins, Ingredients & Eggs793.76829.54916.39979.52921.17
Cereals & Cereal Preparations251.90395.26307.33275.92316.56
Fruit & Vegetables including Potatoes155.81175.32175.46418.43187.74
Source: CSO Trade Data

For most products, other than sheepmeat, the volume exported had increased in the five- year period reflecting the success of Ireland's agri-food exporters.

Photo of Arthur MorganArthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 457: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the distribution of Irish agrifood exports by sector for the past ten years; the destination of these exports relative to each sector; the overall export contribution of the agrifood sector in 2009 and in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28188/09]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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In view of the highly detailed nature of the Deputy's request for information, I would like to, in the first instance, point him towards a relevant data source. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food publishes detailed data on Agri-Food trade based on CSO data. This data is published in the Compendium of Agriculture Statistics on an annual basis. The Compendium is available under the Publications section of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food's website at www.agriculture.gov.ie.

The table attached gives aggregate export details, in terms of the value exported for the sector over the past ten years as well as the proportion of trade that the agri-food sector accounted for in terms of total exports. In 2008, the sector accounted for approximately 10% of total merchandise exports compared to approximately 9.6% in 1999. Over the 10-year period in question, the sector accounted for around 9% of total exports on average. In 2008, it is estimated that over three-quarters of exports in the sector were destined for EU markets. In 2000 this was approximately two-thirds. The UK, including Northern Ireland, remains a key market for exports and accounted for over 46% of agri-food exports in 2008, compared to 36% in 2000. The proportion of agri-sector trade accounted for through non-EU trade has declined from approximately 34% in 2000 to approximately 24% in 2008.

Agri-Sector Export Values in Millions and Percentage of Total Exports

YearExports €m% of Total ExportsYearExports €m% of Total Exports
19996,4149.6%20047,2948.6%
20007,0578.4%20057,7618.9%
20016,8737.4%20068,65410.0%
20026,8777.3%20079,20310.3%
20037,0278.6%20088,59510.0%
Source: CSO Trade Data

Photo of Arthur MorganArthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 458: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the markets to which Irish exports are going by volume; the efforts made to develop further markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28189/09]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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For the year 2008, the CSO estimates that the Irish food and beverage sector exported €8.6 billion in product. While strides towards greater market diversification continue, particularly towards the wider EU and Far East, established high value markets remain the primary destination for Irish agri-food exports. In 2008, the CSO estimated that over 75% of exports in the sector were destined for EU markets. The UK, including Northern Ireland, remains a key market for exports and accounted for over 46% of agri-food exports in 2008.

My Department in conjunction with the industry, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Bord Bia continues to pursue the opening up of markets. The Meat Market Access Group was established in 2007 to ensure market for Irish meat to non-EU markets. The main barrier had been the restrictions imposed by countries as a result of BSE. Efforts to remove remaining restrictions have met with considerable success. The Saudi Arabian and South African markets were re-opened in 2007 while, more recently, the Philippines and Israel have lifted their restrictions. Efforts are continuing to regain access to other markets such as Japan and Indonesia, which continues to restrict for BSE related reasons, and Russia, whose restrictions are related to the recent dioxin incident.

Building on the ongoing work of the Meat Market Access Group, an inter-Departmental Group chaired by my Department and comprised of representatives from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise, Trade and Employment, An Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Iascaigh Mhara has also been established and is currently engaged in a coordinated effort to identify potential market opportunities for the full range of Irish food and beverages, prioritisation of market initiatives and broader access issues.

Photo of Arthur MorganArthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 459: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average annual farm gate price for each of the main farm products in each of the past five years; the average annual wholesale price for each of the main farm products in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28190/09]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Prices paid to producers are measured through agricultural output price indices (API). According to the Central Statistics Office, in the 5-year period covering the years 2004 to 2008 inclusive, the total index for agricultural output prices increased by approximately 20%, with significant variations between commodities over the period. For example, these indices increased by 33% for cattle for slaughter, 18% for milk and 32% for cereals during the period. The tables outline the changes in both the Agriculture Price Indices and Wholesale Price Indices over the period 2004-2008.

Agriculture Output Price Indices% Change over 5 years
Year20042005200620072008
Total Output Index101.8102.3107.4118122.320%
Milk95.393.590.2111112.718%
Cows for Slaughter103.2107.1118115.2137.433%
Sheep117.6109.6112.2114.9120.22%
Pigs103.3101.5108.8103112.49%
Poultry111.6108.1106.9112.2125.212%
Cereals100.996.6110.6185.4133.132%
Potatoes97.6145.5236.3218.4179.184%
Vegetables110.7116.1123.6138.113926%
Source: CSO Agriculture Price Indices
Wholesale Price Indices% Change over 5 years
Year20042005200620072008
Food products101.3105.9109.3113.1118.817.2%
Meat and meat products107.7112.2120.8124.7135.025.3%
Fruit and vegetables128.0127.4128.5132.2135.76.0%
Dairy products97.098.298.5107.5107.010.3%
Other food products98.2105.4107.2107.5112.814.8%
Source: CSO Wholesale Price Indices

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