British farmers are issuing a stark warning about the deteriorating relationship with supermarkets, with a majority stating that making a living from farming has never been more difficult. A comprehensive study led by Devon-based vegetable box company Riverford has uncovered widespread discontent and unfair treatment within the food supply chain.
The Scale of the Problem
The survey, which polled 200 horticulture farmers, found that an overwhelming 99% of respondents have encountered at least one 'unfair' practice from supermarket buyers. These issues range from cancelled orders at the last minute and late payments to being forced to accept unprofitable pricing. Producers also highlighted the problem of supermarkets rejecting perfectly good produce based on unreasonable cosmetic standards, such as specific colour, size, or shape, leading to significant waste and financial loss.
According to the data, 69% of farmers believe the buying relationship with retailers has worsened, and a striking 76% feel under direct financial pressure from these practices. The human cost is also severe, with 82% of respondents confirming that these unfair terms are contributing to stress and poor mental health within the farming community.
A Call for Regulatory Change
The farming industry is now rallying behind a demand for a single, powerful food supply chain regulator to address what they describe as a critical "power imbalance." The study found that 76% of farmers believe the current regulatory system is unfit for purpose and fails to protect them. This call for action is gaining political traction, with 86 MPs having signed an Early Day Motion to merge existing watchdogs into one stronger body. Furthermore, over 3,000 people have written to their MPs supporting better regulation.
Guy Singh Watson, founder of Riverford, stated, "For three years our #GetFairAboutFarming campaign has been calling for a regulator with real teeth. Over 113,000 people have backed that call, yet farmers are still being failed." He emphasised that while the Groceries Code Adjudicator suggests improvements, the reality for small and medium-sized family farms is that the problem is worse than ever.
Voices from the Front Line
Farmers across the UK are sharing their experiences. Richard Stogdon, an apple farmer from Sussex, reported that the relationship with supermarkets has "substantively deteriorated," forcing growers to take "enormous risks." In Wales, dairy farmer Haydn Evans from Carmarthen successfully negotiated a 1p per litre price rise, only for his buyer to be de-listed by supermarkets three months later. "Supermarkets know how vulnerable farmers are – they exploit the power imbalance," Evans said.
Faced with this pressure, some like third-generation farmer Jonathan Hoskyns have stopped supplying supermarkets altogether, citing the relief from stress and unpredictable pricing. The survey suggests 65% of farmers feel they have no choice but to accept unfavourable terms for fear of being de-listed.
The research was conducted by Censuswide between October 2-10, highlighting that without ambitious government action to ensure supply chain fairness, the transition to nature-friendly farming and the very profitability of UK farms remains at risk.
