Vegetable growers suffering in retailers’ pre-Christmas price war
IFA president John Bryan said retailers should be ashamed of themselves and warned that any attempt to recoup losses from growers as a result of this below-cost selling activity will not be tolerated.
“To be offering fresh Irish vegetables at a price as low as 5c per kg, when it costs over 10 times that to produce, is morally wrong and has to stop,” said Mr Bryan.
“It is unforgivable at this critical time for growers, and when consumers are willing to pay a realistic price for Irish produce, that a price war between the retailers should denigrate the value and the work of a sector of Irish farming that is already under pressure due to rising costs and downward pressure on prices.”
He said these activities highlight the urgent need for a retail code of practice.
Meanwhile, the national count to elect the 14th president of the IFA takes place today in Castleknock Hotel in Dublin, and a result is likely to be announced by around 6pm or 7pm tonight.
South Leinster vice-president Jer Bergin and IFA deputy president Eddie Downey are contesting the seat that Mr Bryan will vacate on Jan 14. Mr Bergin farms in Ballacolla, Co Laois, and Mr Downey farms in Slane, Co Meath.
The IFA’s national treasurer, JJ Kavanagh, and Cork Central farm business rep Tim O’Leary are running for the position of IFA deputy president.
Three candidates are contesting the position of Munster regional chairman. They are outgoing national dairy chairman Kevin Kiersey from Waterford, former Kerry IFA chairman James McCarthy, and former Limerick IFA chairman Eddie Scanlan.
