Urgent Call for ACCC Inquiry as Farmers and Families Grapple with Unfair Retail Practices

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NSW Farmers is urging the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to initiate an inquiry into the supermarket retail sector, highlighting the absence of fair prices for both consumers and farmers.

According to NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin, the surging costs of groceries have placed immense strain on consumers and their families, while farmers continue to receive inadequate prices for their produce. Martin emphasized the need for a transparent and equitable distribution of margins through the supply chain to alleviate the burden on farmers and consumers.

The organization contends that anticompetitive practices by supply chain intermediaries are disproportionately affecting farmers, with reports of major retail chains exerting undue power. Many farmers face the dilemma of accepting lower prices that fail to cover production costs, often with limited negotiation options. Some even fnd themselves locked into exclusive contracts with a single buyer, further restricting their market access.

Consumer research indicates a substantial increase in the average weekly cost of groceries, soaring by

$37 between February 2022 and February 2023, exacerbating the challenges faced by families in the current economic climate.

While former competition minister Craig Emerson’s review of the food and grocery code of conduct is underway,

NSW Farmers President Martin expresses skepticism about its effectiveness. The current code, covering only a fraction of the supply chain, is seen as inadequate in addressing fundamental issues such as price transparency and the excessive profts garnered through price gouging.

Martin insists that relying solely on verbal testimony from stakeholders, as proposed in the Emerson review, falls short of a rigorous analysis by the ACCC. A comprehensive examination of consumer prices, supplier payments, and supermarket costs is deemed essential to address the root causes of the challenges faced by both farmers and consumers.

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