Potato growers waiting 90 days for payment
The IFA leader said new grocery regulations would have to lead to a fundamental change by retailers and merchants.
He said that growers were struggling to cope with unsustainable farmgate prices plus the delay in receiving payment.
Growers get less than 30% of the consumer price, but they carry 80% of the cost of getting potatoes to consumers, he said.
Mr Bergin said: “2015 saw the lowest plantings on record, which is not surprising given the poor prices in 2013 and 2014.
"We are currently at a sustainable acreage and growers should take this into account when planting this year.”
IFA national potato chairman Eddie Doyle said IFA will meet major retailer bosses in the coming weeks to point out that growers cannot survive on the returns available at the moment, and to campaign for a standard provision of payment within 30 days.
