Supermarkets, producers and price policies

摘要

Despite the fact that both fruit and vegetable consumption has risen in the last monitored year on year twelve months to March by 9 and 6 percent respectively in value, opinions are still divided over the UK industry's state of health. Growers are hopeful that a report being undertaken by the government's Office of Fair Trading examining supermarket practices will exonerate their claims that margins are being squeezed too tightly - although any findings are not likely to alter the practice accordingto producer opinions. Distributors are showing signs of being more closely locked into category supply arrangements which provides less opportunity to develop 'new customers. Fewer wholesalers, who so far have found alternative outlets though the food service industry, may come under pressure as the largest suppliers want closer links and traceability from growers.