More farmers speak out against Coles and Woolworths: ‘They're manipulating the market’

Ask any Aussie about Australia’s most dominant supermarkets, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Coles and Woolworths might figure in most answers.

But more farmers are saying NO to Australia’s two biggest supermarkets.

In the ongoing battle between Australian farmers and supermarket giants, a Cape York Peninsula producer has joined the ranks of those refusing to do business with Coles and Woolworths.



Melon farmer Shaun Jackson has publicly criticised the major supermarkets for their alleged profit-gouging practices on fruit and vegetables.

Jackson, who has been cultivating melons for the past seven years, has chosen to bypass the big supermarket chains, stating, 'I know what they're like'.


photo (2).jpg
Another farmer bypassed sending products to supermarket giants. Credit: @daintreefresh / Instagram



Instead, he has strategically structured his business to cater to 'good independents' and international markets.

'I started growing a few specialty melons and sent them over to Japan, they loved them...Eighty per cent of my products are now going to Japan,' he revealed in an interview with the media.

The 62-year-old farmer warns that this trend could lead to a food crisis in Australia, predicting shortages and significant price increases.

'I guarantee you that people in Australia are going to run down on food,' he said.

Jackson's concerns are echoed by many in the farming community. He warned shoppers may face a crisis as growers exit the industry and predicted shortages and significant price increases.



He claimed to have spoken with 'thousands of growers about their experience' dealing with supermarkets and says 'all of them are too scared to say anything'.

He also added that supermarkets are ‘holding down’ wholesale prices.

‘The truth is a long time ago, the ACCC let two companies own our fuel, our food and our [alcohol], and they own total control,’ he said.

'Coles and Woolworths send their staff around [to each others' stores] with a little notepad to make note of prices.’

'They're manipulating the market. When you own 76 per cent of the food supply, it's a perfect excuse.'



Jackson's sentiments are shared by Ross Marsolino, a Victorian farmer who recently had to abandon an 80-acre zucchini crop.

Marsolino criticised the supermarket giants for their high prices, which he believed are diminishing demand for his produce and making it nearly impossible for him to turn a profit.

'If they were sold at $2.99 a kilo instead of $4.99 a kilo, everyone would be buying zucchinis. But there's not enough in returns,' he said.

Marsolino's farm, Natural Earth Produce in Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, grows Roma gourmet tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants.

He said he can no longer afford the costs of picking, packing, and transporting vegetables if he can't profit from selling them to major retailers.

‘It hurts me walking away from an 80-acre crop,' he said.

'There's no disease on the crop; it's lush, it's growing.'

'We're not retailing the right price to be able to keep the product moving and selling. Plain and simple.’

Marsolino packed about 1,600 boxes of zucchini in a day instead of the usual 6,000. As of posting, it would also be two weeks into harvesting the 80 acres.



‘We're controlled by what the retail sector sells our product at, that determines whether we keep selling the product or not,' he complained.

'This is what is concerning to me; we should be able to service the country with all our produce that we have here. Farmers are just trying to pay their bills.’

‘The supermarkets need to be retailing at a fairer number. Plain and simple.’

Both Jackson and Marsolino are calling for government intervention. They believe a regulatory body should be established to monitor retail prices and question supermarkets over any increases.
Key Takeaways
  • A farmer from the Cape York Peninsula has criticised Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, accusing them of profit-gouging on fresh produce.
  • The farmer, Shaun Jackson, has refused to do business with these supermarkets due to their practices and instead works with independent stores and exports to Japan.
  • Jackson has warned of a possible 'food crisis' in the future due to farmers exiting the industry and supermarket practices keeping wholesale prices low.
  • This criticism follows previous discontent from a Victorian farmer who discarded an 80-acre zucchini crop due to the unreasonable retail prices set by the supermarkets.
Have you noticed low stocks and a change in the quality or price of produce at your local supermarket? Let us know in the comments below.
 
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Ask any Aussie about Australia’s most dominant supermarkets, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Coles and Woolworths might figure in most answers.

But more farmers are saying NO to Australia’s two biggest supermarkets.

In the ongoing battle between Australian farmers and supermarket giants, a Cape York Peninsula producer has joined the ranks of those refusing to do business with Coles and Woolworths.



Melon farmer Shaun Jackson has publicly criticised the major supermarkets for their alleged profit-gouging practices on fruit and vegetables.

Jackson, who has been cultivating melons for the past seven years, has chosen to bypass the big supermarket chains, stating, 'I know what they're like'.


View attachment 36334
Another farmer bypassed sending products to supermarket giants. Credit: @daintreefresh / Instagram



Instead, he has strategically structured his business to cater to 'good independents' and international markets.

'I started growing a few specialty melons and sent them over to Japan, they loved them...Eighty per cent of my products are now going to Japan,' he revealed in an interview with the media.

The 62-year-old farmer warns that this trend could lead to a food crisis in Australia, predicting shortages and significant price increases.

'I guarantee you that people in Australia are going to run down on food,' he said.

Jackson's concerns are echoed by many in the farming community. He warned shoppers may face a crisis as growers exit the industry and predicted shortages and significant price increases.



He claimed to have spoken with 'thousands of growers about their experience' dealing with supermarkets and says 'all of them are too scared to say anything'.

He also added that supermarkets are ‘holding down’ wholesale prices.

‘The truth is a long time ago, the ACCC let two companies own our fuel, our food and our [alcohol], and they own total control,’ he said.

'Coles and Woolworths send their staff around [to each others' stores] with a little notepad to make note of prices.’

'They're manipulating the market. When you own 76 per cent of the food supply, it's a perfect excuse.'



Jackson's sentiments are shared by Ross Marsolino, a Victorian farmer who recently had to abandon an 80-acre zucchini crop.

Marsolino criticised the supermarket giants for their high prices, which he believed are diminishing demand for his produce and making it nearly impossible for him to turn a profit.

'If they were sold at $2.99 a kilo instead of $4.99 a kilo, everyone would be buying zucchinis. But there's not enough in returns,' he said.

Marsolino's farm, Natural Earth Produce in Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, grows Roma gourmet tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants.

He said he can no longer afford the costs of picking, packing, and transporting vegetables if he can't profit from selling them to major retailers.

‘It hurts me walking away from an 80-acre crop,' he said.

'There's no disease on the crop; it's lush, it's growing.'

'We're not retailing the right price to be able to keep the product moving and selling. Plain and simple.’

Marsolino packed about 1,600 boxes of zucchini in a day instead of the usual 6,000. As of posting, it would also be two weeks into harvesting the 80 acres.



‘We're controlled by what the retail sector sells our product at, that determines whether we keep selling the product or not,' he complained.

'This is what is concerning to me; we should be able to service the country with all our produce that we have here. Farmers are just trying to pay their bills.’

‘The supermarkets need to be retailing at a fairer number. Plain and simple.’

Both Jackson and Marsolino are calling for government intervention. They believe a regulatory body should be established to monitor retail prices and question supermarkets over any increases.
Key Takeaways

  • A farmer from the Cape York Peninsula has criticised Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, accusing them of profit-gouging on fresh produce.
  • The farmer, Shaun Jackson, has refused to do business with these supermarkets due to their practices and instead works with independent stores and exports to Japan.
  • Jackson has warned of a possible 'food crisis' in the future due to farmers exiting the industry and supermarket practices keeping wholesale prices low.
  • This criticism follows previous discontent from a Victorian farmer who discarded an 80-acre zucchini crop due to the unreasonable retail prices set by the supermarkets.
Have you noticed low stocks and a change in the quality or price of produce at your local supermarket? Let us know in the comments below.
Yes. The government (read politicians) have permitted monopolies and duopolies to rhrive in Australia. It doesn't matter what the businesses are, the consumer is screwed.

Qantas and Virgin allowed partnered with travel companies, insurance companies, health insurance, money lending etc.

Coles and Woolworths control our fuel, food, liquor, gambling, insurance etc.

We, as a consequence, are left with fewer and few choices.


The governments need to start breaking up these controlling entities and bring back competition. That is the only way we will ever get prices down.
 
Ask any Aussie about Australia’s most dominant supermarkets, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Coles and Woolworths might figure in most answers.

But more farmers are saying NO to Australia’s two biggest supermarkets.

In the ongoing battle between Australian farmers and supermarket giants, a Cape York Peninsula producer has joined the ranks of those refusing to do business with Coles and Woolworths.



Melon farmer Shaun Jackson has publicly criticised the major supermarkets for their alleged profit-gouging practices on fruit and vegetables.

Jackson, who has been cultivating melons for the past seven years, has chosen to bypass the big supermarket chains, stating, 'I know what they're like'.


View attachment 36334
Another farmer bypassed sending products to supermarket giants. Credit: @daintreefresh / Instagram



Instead, he has strategically structured his business to cater to 'good independents' and international markets.

'I started growing a few specialty melons and sent them over to Japan, they loved them...Eighty per cent of my products are now going to Japan,' he revealed in an interview with the media.

The 62-year-old farmer warns that this trend could lead to a food crisis in Australia, predicting shortages and significant price increases.

'I guarantee you that people in Australia are going to run down on food,' he said.

Jackson's concerns are echoed by many in the farming community. He warned shoppers may face a crisis as growers exit the industry and predicted shortages and significant price increases.



He claimed to have spoken with 'thousands of growers about their experience' dealing with supermarkets and says 'all of them are too scared to say anything'.

He also added that supermarkets are ‘holding down’ wholesale prices.

‘The truth is a long time ago, the ACCC let two companies own our fuel, our food and our [alcohol], and they own total control,’ he said.

'Coles and Woolworths send their staff around [to each others' stores] with a little notepad to make note of prices.’

'They're manipulating the market. When you own 76 per cent of the food supply, it's a perfect excuse.'



Jackson's sentiments are shared by Ross Marsolino, a Victorian farmer who recently had to abandon an 80-acre zucchini crop.

Marsolino criticised the supermarket giants for their high prices, which he believed are diminishing demand for his produce and making it nearly impossible for him to turn a profit.

'If they were sold at $2.99 a kilo instead of $4.99 a kilo, everyone would be buying zucchinis. But there's not enough in returns,' he said.

Marsolino's farm, Natural Earth Produce in Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, grows Roma gourmet tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants.

He said he can no longer afford the costs of picking, packing, and transporting vegetables if he can't profit from selling them to major retailers.

‘It hurts me walking away from an 80-acre crop,' he said.

'There's no disease on the crop; it's lush, it's growing.'

'We're not retailing the right price to be able to keep the product moving and selling. Plain and simple.’

Marsolino packed about 1,600 boxes of zucchini in a day instead of the usual 6,000. As of posting, it would also be two weeks into harvesting the 80 acres.



‘We're controlled by what the retail sector sells our product at, that determines whether we keep selling the product or not,' he complained.

'This is what is concerning to me; we should be able to service the country with all our produce that we have here. Farmers are just trying to pay their bills.’

‘The supermarkets need to be retailing at a fairer number. Plain and simple.’

Both Jackson and Marsolino are calling for government intervention. They believe a regulatory body should be established to monitor retail prices and question supermarkets over any increases.
Key Takeaways

  • A farmer from the Cape York Peninsula has criticised Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, accusing them of profit-gouging on fresh produce.
  • The farmer, Shaun Jackson, has refused to do business with these supermarkets due to their practices and instead works with independent stores and exports to Japan.
  • Jackson has warned of a possible 'food crisis' in the future due to farmers exiting the industry and supermarket practices keeping wholesale prices low.
  • This criticism follows previous discontent from a Victorian farmer who discarded an 80-acre zucchini crop due to the unreasonable retail prices set by the supermarkets.
Have you noticed low stocks and a change in the quality or price of produce at your local supermarket? Let us know in the comments below.

Ask any Aussie about Australia’s most dominant supermarkets, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Coles and Woolworths might figure in most answers.

But more farmers are saying NO to Australia’s two biggest supermarkets.

In the ongoing battle between Australian farmers and supermarket giants, a Cape York Peninsula producer has joined the ranks of those refusing to do business with Coles and Woolworths.



Melon farmer Shaun Jackson has publicly criticised the major supermarkets for their alleged profit-gouging practices on fruit and vegetables.

Jackson, who has been cultivating melons for the past seven years, has chosen to bypass the big supermarket chains, stating, 'I know what they're like'.


View attachment 36334
Another farmer bypassed sending products to supermarket giants. Credit: @daintreefresh / Instagram



Instead, he has strategically structured his business to cater to 'good independents' and international markets.

'I started growing a few specialty melons and sent them over to Japan, they loved them...Eighty per cent of my products are now going to Japan,' he revealed in an interview with the media.

The 62-year-old farmer warns that this trend could lead to a food crisis in Australia, predicting shortages and significant price increases.

'I guarantee you that people in Australia are going to run down on food,' he said.

Jackson's concerns are echoed by many in the farming community. He warned shoppers may face a crisis as growers exit the industry and predicted shortages and significant price increases.



He claimed to have spoken with 'thousands of growers about their experience' dealing with supermarkets and says 'all of them are too scared to say anything'.

He also added that supermarkets are ‘holding down’ wholesale prices.

‘The truth is a long time ago, the ACCC let two companies own our fuel, our food and our [alcohol], and they own total control,’ he said.

'Coles and Woolworths send their staff around [to each others' stores] with a little notepad to make note of prices.’

'They're manipulating the market. When you own 76 per cent of the food supply, it's a perfect excuse.'



Jackson's sentiments are shared by Ross Marsolino, a Victorian farmer who recently had to abandon an 80-acre zucchini crop.

Marsolino criticised the supermarket giants for their high prices, which he believed are diminishing demand for his produce and making it nearly impossible for him to turn a profit.

'If they were sold at $2.99 a kilo instead of $4.99 a kilo, everyone would be buying zucchinis. But there's not enough in returns,' he said.

Marsolino's farm, Natural Earth Produce in Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, grows Roma gourmet tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants.

He said he can no longer afford the costs of picking, packing, and transporting vegetables if he can't profit from selling them to major retailers.

‘It hurts me walking away from an 80-acre crop,' he said.

'There's no disease on the crop; it's lush, it's growing.'

'We're not retailing the right price to be able to keep the product moving and selling. Plain and simple.’

Marsolino packed about 1,600 boxes of zucchini in a day instead of the usual 6,000. As of posting, it would also be two weeks into harvesting the 80 acres.



‘We're controlled by what the retail sector sells our product at, that determines whether we keep selling the product or not,' he complained.

'This is what is concerning to me; we should be able to service the country with all our produce that we have here. Farmers are just trying to pay their bills.’

‘The supermarkets need to be retailing at a fairer number. Plain and simple.’

Both Jackson and Marsolino are calling for government intervention. They believe a regulatory body should be established to monitor retail prices and question supermarkets over any increases.
Key Takeaways

  • A farmer from the Cape York Peninsula has criticised Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, accusing them of profit-gouging on fresh produce.
  • The farmer, Shaun Jackson, has refused to do business with these supermarkets due to their practices and instead works with independent stores and exports to Japan.
  • Jackson has warned of a possible 'food crisis' in the future due to farmers exiting the industry and supermarket practices keeping wholesale prices low.
  • This criticism follows previous discontent from a Victorian farmer who discarded an 80-acre zucchini crop due to the unreasonable retail prices set by the supermarkets.
Have you noticed low stocks and a change in the quality or price of produce at your local supermarket? Let us know in the comments below.
$15.90 a kilo of Brussels sprouts ,that's robbery!
 
Ask any Aussie about Australia’s most dominant supermarkets, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Coles and Woolworths might figure in most answers.

But more farmers are saying NO to Australia’s two biggest supermarkets.

In the ongoing battle between Australian farmers and supermarket giants, a Cape York Peninsula producer has joined the ranks of those refusing to do business with Coles and Woolworths.



Melon farmer Shaun Jackson has publicly criticised the major supermarkets for their alleged profit-gouging practices on fruit and vegetables.

Jackson, who has been cultivating melons for the past seven years, has chosen to bypass the big supermarket chains, stating, 'I know what they're like'.


View attachment 36334
Another farmer bypassed sending products to supermarket giants. Credit: @daintreefresh / Instagram



Instead, he has strategically structured his business to cater to 'good independents' and international markets.

'I started growing a few specialty melons and sent them over to Japan, they loved them...Eighty per cent of my products are now going to Japan,' he revealed in an interview with the media.

The 62-year-old farmer warns that this trend could lead to a food crisis in Australia, predicting shortages and significant price increases.

'I guarantee you that people in Australia are going to run down on food,' he said.

Jackson's concerns are echoed by many in the farming community. He warned shoppers may face a crisis as growers exit the industry and predicted shortages and significant price increases.



He claimed to have spoken with 'thousands of growers about their experience' dealing with supermarkets and says 'all of them are too scared to say anything'.

He also added that supermarkets are ‘holding down’ wholesale prices.

‘The truth is a long time ago, the ACCC let two companies own our fuel, our food and our [alcohol], and they own total control,’ he said.

'Coles and Woolworths send their staff around [to each others' stores] with a little notepad to make note of prices.’

'They're manipulating the market. When you own 76 per cent of the food supply, it's a perfect excuse.'



Jackson's sentiments are shared by Ross Marsolino, a Victorian farmer who recently had to abandon an 80-acre zucchini crop.

Marsolino criticised the supermarket giants for their high prices, which he believed are diminishing demand for his produce and making it nearly impossible for him to turn a profit.

'If they were sold at $2.99 a kilo instead of $4.99 a kilo, everyone would be buying zucchinis. But there's not enough in returns,' he said.

Marsolino's farm, Natural Earth Produce in Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, grows Roma gourmet tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants.

He said he can no longer afford the costs of picking, packing, and transporting vegetables if he can't profit from selling them to major retailers.

‘It hurts me walking away from an 80-acre crop,' he said.

'There's no disease on the crop; it's lush, it's growing.'

'We're not retailing the right price to be able to keep the product moving and selling. Plain and simple.’

Marsolino packed about 1,600 boxes of zucchini in a day instead of the usual 6,000. As of posting, it would also be two weeks into harvesting the 80 acres.



‘We're controlled by what the retail sector sells our product at, that determines whether we keep selling the product or not,' he complained.

'This is what is concerning to me; we should be able to service the country with all our produce that we have here. Farmers are just trying to pay their bills.’

‘The supermarkets need to be retailing at a fairer number. Plain and simple.’

Both Jackson and Marsolino are calling for government intervention. They believe a regulatory body should be established to monitor retail prices and question supermarkets over any increases.
Key Takeaways

  • A farmer from the Cape York Peninsula has criticised Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, accusing them of profit-gouging on fresh produce.
  • The farmer, Shaun Jackson, has refused to do business with these supermarkets due to their practices and instead works with independent stores and exports to Japan.
  • Jackson has warned of a possible 'food crisis' in the future due to farmers exiting the industry and supermarket practices keeping wholesale prices low.
  • This criticism follows previous discontent from a Victorian farmer who discarded an 80-acre zucchini crop due to the unreasonable retail prices set by the supermarkets.
Have you noticed low stocks and a change in the quality or price of produce at your local supermarket? Let us know in the comments below.
IGA needs to be looked at as well. My local shop recently advertised kiwifruit at $3.50 ea, and porterhouse steak at $56/kg. Bread has gone from $1.99 for a 700g loaf to near $4. That's a 50% rise in just the last 2 years.
 
IGA needs to be looked at as well. My local shop recently advertised kiwifruit at $3.50 ea, and porterhouse steak at $56/kg. Bread has gone from $1.99 for a 700g loaf to near $4. That's a 50% rise in just the last 2 years.
Where do you live in woop woop that’s outrageous🙀
 
  • Wow
Reactions: magpie1
I remember when Aldies first started you could get a full trolly of food for $100 now your lucky to get half a trolly full for the same price they are just like woolies and coles
 
Yes. The government (read politicians) have permitted monopolies and duopolies to rhrive in Australia. It doesn't matter what the businesses are, the consumer is screwed.

Qantas and Virgin allowed partnered with travel companies, insurance companies, health insurance, money lending etc.

Coles and Woolworths control our fuel, food, liquor, gambling, insurance etc.

We, as a consequence, are left with fewer and few choices.


The governments need to start breaking up these controlling entities and bring back competition. That is the only way we will ever get prices down.
And then you'll scream about too much government intervention in our lives.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dimi and Wandiwa
Ask any Aussie about Australia’s most dominant supermarkets, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Coles and Woolworths might figure in most answers.

But more farmers are saying NO to Australia’s two biggest supermarkets.

In the ongoing battle between Australian farmers and supermarket giants, a Cape York Peninsula producer has joined the ranks of those refusing to do business with Coles and Woolworths.



Melon farmer Shaun Jackson has publicly criticised the major supermarkets for their alleged profit-gouging practices on fruit and vegetables.

Jackson, who has been cultivating melons for the past seven years, has chosen to bypass the big supermarket chains, stating, 'I know what they're like'.


View attachment 36334
Another farmer bypassed sending products to supermarket giants. Credit: @daintreefresh / Instagram



Instead, he has strategically structured his business to cater to 'good independents' and international markets.

'I started growing a few specialty melons and sent them over to Japan, they loved them...Eighty per cent of my products are now going to Japan,' he revealed in an interview with the media.

The 62-year-old farmer warns that this trend could lead to a food crisis in Australia, predicting shortages and significant price increases.

'I guarantee you that people in Australia are going to run down on food,' he said.

Jackson's concerns are echoed by many in the farming community. He warned shoppers may face a crisis as growers exit the industry and predicted shortages and significant price increases.



He claimed to have spoken with 'thousands of growers about their experience' dealing with supermarkets and says 'all of them are too scared to say anything'.

He also added that supermarkets are ‘holding down’ wholesale prices.

‘The truth is a long time ago, the ACCC let two companies own our fuel, our food and our [alcohol], and they own total control,’ he said.

'Coles and Woolworths send their staff around [to each others' stores] with a little notepad to make note of prices.’

'They're manipulating the market. When you own 76 per cent of the food supply, it's a perfect excuse.'



Jackson's sentiments are shared by Ross Marsolino, a Victorian farmer who recently had to abandon an 80-acre zucchini crop.

Marsolino criticised the supermarket giants for their high prices, which he believed are diminishing demand for his produce and making it nearly impossible for him to turn a profit.

'If they were sold at $2.99 a kilo instead of $4.99 a kilo, everyone would be buying zucchinis. But there's not enough in returns,' he said.

Marsolino's farm, Natural Earth Produce in Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, grows Roma gourmet tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants.

He said he can no longer afford the costs of picking, packing, and transporting vegetables if he can't profit from selling them to major retailers.

‘It hurts me walking away from an 80-acre crop,' he said.

'There's no disease on the crop; it's lush, it's growing.'

'We're not retailing the right price to be able to keep the product moving and selling. Plain and simple.’

Marsolino packed about 1,600 boxes of zucchini in a day instead of the usual 6,000. As of posting, it would also be two weeks into harvesting the 80 acres.



‘We're controlled by what the retail sector sells our product at, that determines whether we keep selling the product or not,' he complained.

'This is what is concerning to me; we should be able to service the country with all our produce that we have here. Farmers are just trying to pay their bills.’

‘The supermarkets need to be retailing at a fairer number. Plain and simple.’

Both Jackson and Marsolino are calling for government intervention. They believe a regulatory body should be established to monitor retail prices and question supermarkets over any increases.
Key Takeaways

  • A farmer from the Cape York Peninsula has criticised Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, accusing them of profit-gouging on fresh produce.
  • The farmer, Shaun Jackson, has refused to do business with these supermarkets due to their practices and instead works with independent stores and exports to Japan.
  • Jackson has warned of a possible 'food crisis' in the future due to farmers exiting the industry and supermarket practices keeping wholesale prices low.
  • This criticism follows previous discontent from a Victorian farmer who discarded an 80-acre zucchini crop due to the unreasonable retail prices set by the supermarkets.
Have you noticed low stocks and a change in the quality or price of produce at your local supermarket? Let us know in the comments below.
They are ripping of the farmer and the consumer simple a mention of the ACCC well they are gutless and toothless to pull this into line an inquiry and penalties to the CEO'S of these companies bloody thieving bastards 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ricki and relljube
Ask any Aussie about Australia’s most dominant supermarkets, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Coles and Woolworths might figure in most answers.

But more farmers are saying NO to Australia’s two biggest supermarkets.

In the ongoing battle between Australian farmers and supermarket giants, a Cape York Peninsula producer has joined the ranks of those refusing to do business with Coles and Woolworths.



Melon farmer Shaun Jackson has publicly criticised the major supermarkets for their alleged profit-gouging practices on fruit and vegetables.

Jackson, who has been cultivating melons for the past seven years, has chosen to bypass the big supermarket chains, stating, 'I know what they're like'.


View attachment 36334
Another farmer bypassed sending products to supermarket giants. Credit: @daintreefresh / Instagram



Instead, he has strategically structured his business to cater to 'good independents' and international markets.

'I started growing a few specialty melons and sent them over to Japan, they loved them...Eighty per cent of my products are now going to Japan,' he revealed in an interview with the media.

The 62-year-old farmer warns that this trend could lead to a food crisis in Australia, predicting shortages and significant price increases.

'I guarantee you that people in Australia are going to run down on food,' he said.

Jackson's concerns are echoed by many in the farming community. He warned shoppers may face a crisis as growers exit the industry and predicted shortages and significant price increases.



He claimed to have spoken with 'thousands of growers about their experience' dealing with supermarkets and says 'all of them are too scared to say anything'.

He also added that supermarkets are ‘holding down’ wholesale prices.

‘The truth is a long time ago, the ACCC let two companies own our fuel, our food and our [alcohol], and they own total control,’ he said.

'Coles and Woolworths send their staff around [to each others' stores] with a little notepad to make note of prices.’

'They're manipulating the market. When you own 76 per cent of the food supply, it's a perfect excuse.'



Jackson's sentiments are shared by Ross Marsolino, a Victorian farmer who recently had to abandon an 80-acre zucchini crop.

Marsolino criticised the supermarket giants for their high prices, which he believed are diminishing demand for his produce and making it nearly impossible for him to turn a profit.

'If they were sold at $2.99 a kilo instead of $4.99 a kilo, everyone would be buying zucchinis. But there's not enough in returns,' he said.

Marsolino's farm, Natural Earth Produce in Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, grows Roma gourmet tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants.

He said he can no longer afford the costs of picking, packing, and transporting vegetables if he can't profit from selling them to major retailers.

‘It hurts me walking away from an 80-acre crop,' he said.

'There's no disease on the crop; it's lush, it's growing.'

'We're not retailing the right price to be able to keep the product moving and selling. Plain and simple.’

Marsolino packed about 1,600 boxes of zucchini in a day instead of the usual 6,000. As of posting, it would also be two weeks into harvesting the 80 acres.



‘We're controlled by what the retail sector sells our product at, that determines whether we keep selling the product or not,' he complained.

'This is what is concerning to me; we should be able to service the country with all our produce that we have here. Farmers are just trying to pay their bills.’

‘The supermarkets need to be retailing at a fairer number. Plain and simple.’

Both Jackson and Marsolino are calling for government intervention. They believe a regulatory body should be established to monitor retail prices and question supermarkets over any increases.
Key Takeaways

  • A farmer from the Cape York Peninsula has criticised Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, accusing them of profit-gouging on fresh produce.
  • The farmer, Shaun Jackson, has refused to do business with these supermarkets due to their practices and instead works with independent stores and exports to Japan.
  • Jackson has warned of a possible 'food crisis' in the future due to farmers exiting the industry and supermarket practices keeping wholesale prices low.
  • This criticism follows previous discontent from a Victorian farmer who discarded an 80-acre zucchini crop due to the unreasonable retail prices set by the supermarkets.
Have you noticed low stocks and a change in the quality or price of produce at your local supermarket? Let us know in the comments below.
And the Government have allowed ownership of Dairy Factories to the 2 main Supermarkets. Where is the competition. More Farmers are going to be looking at selling overseas, or going bankrupt.
 
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And the Government have allowed ownership of Dairy Factories to the 2 main Supermarkets. Where is the competition. More Farmers are going to be looking at selling overseas, or going bankrupt.
And IGA is owned by Metcash. They are even more expensive than Coles and Woolworths. Ifd they dropped their prices, the others would follow.
 
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Where do you live in woop woop that’s outrageous🙀
Woop woop means living in the middle of nowhere 😁like when I lived in broken hill it was so expensive $10.00 for a frozen lettuce.cos they had to come by plane.
 
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Ask any Aussie about Australia’s most dominant supermarkets, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Coles and Woolworths might figure in most answers.

But more farmers are saying NO to Australia’s two biggest supermarkets.

In the ongoing battle between Australian farmers and supermarket giants, a Cape York Peninsula producer has joined the ranks of those refusing to do business with Coles and Woolworths.



Melon farmer Shaun Jackson has publicly criticised the major supermarkets for their alleged profit-gouging practices on fruit and vegetables.

Jackson, who has been cultivating melons for the past seven years, has chosen to bypass the big supermarket chains, stating, 'I know what they're like'.


View attachment 36334
Another farmer bypassed sending products to supermarket giants. Credit: @daintreefresh / Instagram



Instead, he has strategically structured his business to cater to 'good independents' and international markets.

'I started growing a few specialty melons and sent them over to Japan, they loved them...Eighty per cent of my products are now going to Japan,' he revealed in an interview with the media.

The 62-year-old farmer warns that this trend could lead to a food crisis in Australia, predicting shortages and significant price increases.

'I guarantee you that people in Australia are going to run down on food,' he said.

Jackson's concerns are echoed by many in the farming community. He warned shoppers may face a crisis as growers exit the industry and predicted shortages and significant price increases.



He claimed to have spoken with 'thousands of growers about their experience' dealing with supermarkets and says 'all of them are too scared to say anything'.

He also added that supermarkets are ‘holding down’ wholesale prices.

‘The truth is a long time ago, the ACCC let two companies own our fuel, our food and our [alcohol], and they own total control,’ he said.

'Coles and Woolworths send their staff around [to each others' stores] with a little notepad to make note of prices.’

'They're manipulating the market. When you own 76 per cent of the food supply, it's a perfect excuse.'



Jackson's sentiments are shared by Ross Marsolino, a Victorian farmer who recently had to abandon an 80-acre zucchini crop.

Marsolino criticised the supermarket giants for their high prices, which he believed are diminishing demand for his produce and making it nearly impossible for him to turn a profit.

'If they were sold at $2.99 a kilo instead of $4.99 a kilo, everyone would be buying zucchinis. But there's not enough in returns,' he said.

Marsolino's farm, Natural Earth Produce in Shepparton in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, grows Roma gourmet tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplants.

He said he can no longer afford the costs of picking, packing, and transporting vegetables if he can't profit from selling them to major retailers.

‘It hurts me walking away from an 80-acre crop,' he said.

'There's no disease on the crop; it's lush, it's growing.'

'We're not retailing the right price to be able to keep the product moving and selling. Plain and simple.’

Marsolino packed about 1,600 boxes of zucchini in a day instead of the usual 6,000. As of posting, it would also be two weeks into harvesting the 80 acres.



‘We're controlled by what the retail sector sells our product at, that determines whether we keep selling the product or not,' he complained.

'This is what is concerning to me; we should be able to service the country with all our produce that we have here. Farmers are just trying to pay their bills.’

‘The supermarkets need to be retailing at a fairer number. Plain and simple.’

Both Jackson and Marsolino are calling for government intervention. They believe a regulatory body should be established to monitor retail prices and question supermarkets over any increases.
Key Takeaways

  • A farmer from the Cape York Peninsula has criticised Australian supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths, accusing them of profit-gouging on fresh produce.
  • The farmer, Shaun Jackson, has refused to do business with these supermarkets due to their practices and instead works with independent stores and exports to Japan.
  • Jackson has warned of a possible 'food crisis' in the future due to farmers exiting the industry and supermarket practices keeping wholesale prices low.
  • This criticism follows previous discontent from a Victorian farmer who discarded an 80-acre zucchini crop due to the unreasonable retail prices set by the supermarkets.
Have you noticed low stocks and a change in the quality or price of produce at your local supermarket? Let us know in the comments below.
Ha ha ha.. he who laughs last laughs longest...... I didn't want to say it 'I told you so'.
 
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They are ripping of the farmer and the consumer simple a mention of the ACCC well they are gutless and toothless to pull this into line an inquiry and penalties to the CEO'S of these companies bloody thieving bastards 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
Looks like they have now bi stepped the ACCC (about time) and the SENATE is now looking at both Woolworths and Coles in regard to any price gouging of consumers and producers....guess we'll have to wait and see what happens. 😡😡🤔😡😡
 
Looks like they have now bi stepped the ACCC (about time) and the SENATE is now looking at both Woolworths and Coles in regard to any price gouging of consumers and producers....guess we'll have to wait and see what happens. 😡😡🤔😡😡
I shall remain silent... for now.... The ACCC and the Senate are toothless tigers... Couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag.....
 
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And then you'll scream about too much government intervention in our lives.
Something has to happen......it can't keep going on like this for too much longer....well it looks like the SENATE has decided to look into claims of price gouging of consumers and producers by the Big 2 Woolies and Coles.....we will have to wait and see what the Senate finds I guess.
 
I shall remain silent... for now.... The ACCC and the Senate are toothless tigers... Couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper bag.....
If you have got something to say on this I would like to hear it IAN3005......What's your thoughts about this then? Honestly it can't keep going like this. Cheers.
 
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Coles & Woolies have been crippling farmers for nigh on 40 years. Attended a protest rally with farmers in front of Parliament House Canberra in the 80's over cheap imported oranges/juice from Sth America while Aussie farmers were pulling their orange trees out ($25 per TONNE being the price offered by these mongrel supermarkets) while charging $5.99 per KILO on the shelf. At the time I was a bank mgr and can verify the insidious practices of making farmers wait for payment well beyond usual 30 day terms - some stretched to almost 6 months before payment. No business can sustain this withholding of income. They were forced to seek overdrafts or any sort of bank loan just to keep their farms going. So wrong then and has only gotten worse since then. SHAME ON YOU CEO's and Directors of these bloody corporations.
 
They are ripping of the farmer and the consumer simple a mention of the ACCC well they are gutless and toothless to pull this into line an inquiry and penalties to the CEO'S of these companies bloody thieving bastards 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
All supermarkets try to get a better deal. Knowing about lamb for eg. the people sit in offices and dictate what size each piece of lamb should be. As my husband said that it’s the consumer who wants a certain size cut. That ok with me but what makes my blood boil is if the cut is done wrong and can’t be fixed they will throw the meat out and charge the processor for their loss. It goes to pet food. What a bloody waste. As we are a couple with a disabled son their cuts don’t suit us. They measure by mm. A thicker chop would be good. Under size meat is all ways a ticket chop. Meaning under NQR, always under the label. The big supermarkets are very waste full. If l could boycott the supermarkets l would.
 

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