by Andrew W. Shepherd, FAO Rome, 2005

Increasing attention is being paid to the growth of supermarkets in countries outside of North America and Europe. Numerous studies have been carried out, initially in Latin America and,  more recently, in Central and Eastern Europe, Southern Africa and Asia. However, these studies, while identifying the growth of supermarkets and the changes in supply chains that have been caused by this growth, have made relatively little progress in identifying steps that need to be taken to help farmers adapt to the new realities of supplying fresh fruits and vegetables to large retailers. By bringing together supermarket representatives, wholesalers, government officials, farmer representatives and those who work with farmers, at a workshop held in Kuala Lumpur in October 2004, it was hoped to contribute to an increased understanding of the issues that needed to be addressed. This paper is based on the one presented to that workshop by the author, subsequently amended to take account of contributions by the participants and research that has become available since October.

Full paper attached.