An investigation by Australia's competition watchdog has found the future of locally-grown fruit and vegetables is under threat unless major changes are made to the nation's supermarket giants.
Today the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released its final report into the nation's major supermarkets, finding they increased their average product margins over the past five financial years and appeared among the most profitable supermarket businesses globally.
The report recommended greater price transparency, a stronger Food and Grocery Code, and more fairness for farmers.
NSW Farmers Vice President Bec Reardon said many farmers felt vindicated by the findings after decades of pain from the nation's powerful supermarkets.
"Farmers have seen prices go up at the checkout and come down at the farmgate, and our major supermarkets can no longer hide behind excuses for their disgustingly huge profits," Mrs Reardon said.
"These giants are world-leader on profits, which ultimately come from shoppers' pockets and farmers' incomes. Unfair behaviour is behind these super profits, and it's pushing the people that grow our food out of business at a rate we've never seen before.
"With a third of vegetable growers thinking about leaving the industry, who is going to grow the food to feed Aussie families when all our farmers are forced out of business?"
A crackdown on unfair behaviour within the grocery sector was long overdue, Mrs Reardon said, with the Australian Government urged to take swift action.
"Everywhere you look the cost of living is a major issue and I heard this week that food charities are now seeing double-income families turn to them for help. Politicians must act on this report, and fast," Mrs Reardon said.
"If we really want to change the culture of our supermarket sector for good, then we need price transparency systems - as well as divestiture powers to break up these giants when they misbehave.
"Families are sick of paying too much for their groceries, and farmers are sick of being paid next to nothing. We all need fair prices, fast, or Aussies won't just be worried about cost-of-living - we'll be worried about where our next meal will come from."
