Arable Sector (Hansard, 7 February 1990)

§ Mr. Curry

In 1989–90, United Kingdom beet sugar production was just over 1.25 million tonnes. Devaluation of the green pound more than offset the 2 per cent. reduction in the EC sugar price.

Rapeseed production in the United Kingdom is estimated at 953,000 tonnes in 1989–90. Under the EC stabiliser mechanism, the target price has been reduced by 3.. per cent. because Community production has exceeded the maximum guaranteed quantity. This amounts to a price increase of nearly 5 per cent. over 1988–89, when the price was reduced by 7.65 per cent. Taking account of the green pound changes, the support price increase in sterling is over 12 per cent. Market prices in 1989–90 have been considerably higher than in the previous year. Production of protein crops in the United Kingdom in 1989–90 is estimated at 703,000 tonnes. Institutional prices have been reduced by around 10 per cent. under the stabiliser mechanism as they were in the previous year. In sterling terms this has resulted in a price rise of over 7 per cent. taking account of green pound changes. Market prices have been higher in 1989–90 than in the previous year For potatoes, estimated United Kingdom production in the current July-June crop year was 6,221,000 tonnes compared with 6,899,000 tonnes in 1987–88, but the shortfall has been partially offset by lower wastage. Weekly average producer prices are running at over £90 per tonne compared with less than £60 at this time last year.