Fresh onion imports
The Minister said poor European harvest marketing conditions and difficult planting weather reduced Irish onion acreage in 1979, increasing imports. Better prices in the current season were expected to encourage production and reduce imports.
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.
Comment on this
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.
