Farmers accuse supermarkets of harsh tactics in price war

The Guardian (UK) November 14 2008

London: The big supermarkets are treating suppliers "harshly" and "beating up" farmers and growers as they compete to offer the lowest prices, the National Farmers' Union has warned.

The NFU is looking into "a number of complaints of aggressive tactics" used against its members by buyers from the big grocers. The tactics include "demands for over-riders, sudden price reductions and changes in payment terms".

The union called on the supermarkets to sacrifice some of their own profit margins to cut prices rather than demand more price cuts from farmers and growers.

Full article at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/nov/14/ruralaffairs-supermarkets

See also "Tesco's demands worry South African producers" Talking Retail 14 November 2008. http://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/11483-tescos-demands-worry-south-african-producers.html