TNAG-2356-FCO40-3427-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 78

particularly from near neighbours

such as China).

Only 98

for agriculture, and that

of the land is currently available

figure can be expected to fall. The land is mainly used to satisfy consumers' preference for fresh produce, mainly

intensively-produced vegetables, fruit, pigs and poultry.

Flowers are also grown on a commercial basis.

the

4. The policy of the Kong Kong Government is to improve

the stability of production and the efficiency of marketing

in the agricultural industry by better management of

land available and by the better use of modern technology.

Pollution from poultry and pig farms is one of the colony's

most difficult and growing problems: a viable solution still being sought.

is

5. The marine fish catch is an important primary product,

accounting for about 90% of total local consumption. But

the whole industry fishing, processing and marketing

needs to be modernised.

-

6.

can

is,

In

are

China, with its advantages of proximity and cheap labour, is exceptionally well placed to supply many of Hong Kong's food needs. Moreoever, Hong Kong companies

utilise cheap labour in the south of China. There

however, a significant number of British expatriates in Hong

Kong among the total population of 5.8 million. addition, the tastes of the Chinese people in Hong Kong

changing. They are now eating many more processed Western

foods. There is, therefore, a substantial and growing market for the type of food that UK companies produce. The main suppliers of Western-style foods at the moment are

Australia and the US, although France and Netherlands

also significant suppliers of dairy produce.

1.

are

Kong

Because of high freight costs, UK exports to Hong

have typically been products of high value in relation to bulk and weight. Nevertheless, there are opportunities

for

increased UK involvement in Hong Kong, through direct exports of food and drink, and through a stake in the local

industry (where low levels of taxation

The following sectors

opportunities:

in

particular

are an advantage).

seemed to offer