HC Deb 08 August 1980 vol 990 cc376-7W
Mr. Shore

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the value and tonnage of imported apples from the European Community as a whole and from France, respectively, in 1979 and in each year since 1972; and what is his forecast for imports in 1980.

Mr. Wiggin

Figures for the years 1972 to 1979 are as follows:

European Community France
Tonnes £'000 Tonnes £'000
1972 97,642 13,756 73,562 10,427
1973 163,990 24,839 126,701 19,282
1974 186,936 29,753 149,210 24,462
1975 209,807 42,363 167,840 34,777
1976 256,502 48,022 211,273 40,277
1977 263,149 71,299 193,307 52,973
1978 239,704 67,206 191,383 53,033
1979 265,093 61,088 245,375 56,408

In the period January to June 1980 imports were 156,050 tonnes, value £38,815,000, from the Community as a whole and 118,712 tonnes, value £29,227,000, from France. The season for imports from the European Community is just commencing and it is not possible to forecast what will be the outcome since this is affected by commercial factors.

Mr. Shore

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the value and tonnage of apples exported from the United Kingdom to the European Community as a whole and to France, respectively, in 1979 and in each year since 1972; and what is his forecast for exports in 1980.

Mr. Wiggin

Figures for the years 1972 to 1979 are as follows:

European Community
Tonnes £'000 Tonnes £'000
1972* 16,157 1,784 39 5.5
1973* 12,341 1,935 76 11.1
1974* 14,793 1,834 12 1.2
1975 13,449 1,805 175 37.0
1976 13,852 2,047 51 10.4
1977 12,917 3,191 491 184.4
1978 12,881 2,877 145 55.7
1979 17,848 2,803 217 97.7
* includes cider apples.

In the period January to June 1980 exports were 7,792 tonnes, value £1,566,000 to the Community as a whole and 28 tonnes, value £7,400 to France. The United Kingdom apple crop is expected to be good and there is no reason therefore to suppose that exports will be significantly different from the pattern of recent years.

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