HC Deb 19 July 1978 vol 954 cc279-80W
Mr. Jopling

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in the Official Report the latest figures available for the gross output or sales of the farming industry, the food manufacturing and processing industry, the food wholesale industry, and the food retail industry.

Mr. Strang

I regret that comparable figures are not available. The latest estimates for each sector are, however, set out below:

£ million
Farming industry (1977)* 6,896
Food manufacturing and processing industry (1976)* 13,950
Food wholesaling industry (1974)† 10,446
Food retailing industry (1977)‡ 15,137
Notes.
* The figures shown refer to gross output.
† The figure shown refers to the wholesaling and dealing turnover of VAT trade groups 8101 (fresh meat, fruit and vegetables) and 8109 (other food and drink).
‡ The figure shown refers to sales by food shops (including dairymen); it excludes catering sales and direct sales from farms and market stalls.

Sources.

Farming industry—Annual Review of Agriculture 1978 (Cmnd 7058).

Food manufacturing and processing indusstry—PA 1000; Provisional results of the 1976 Annual Census of Production.

Food wholesaling industry—Wholesale Trades in 1974, Trade and Industry, 28th October 1977.

Food retailing industry—Food Shops Business Monitor SDI, April 1978.