Protecting producers - New controls for retailers

ONE of the relationships in this society that seems to be at least skewed, if not exploitative, is the one between large retailers and producers of all kinds.

Farmers have, for many years, protested over the pretty significant gap between farmgate prices and supermarket prices; they feel exploited by businesses so big that they can set take-it-or-leave-it prices, prices that often fall short of the cost of production despite significant subsidies.

They are not alone. Small to medium sized producers have been critical of the demands made by those controlling shelf space. They complain, often demanding confidentiality because of the power of mega retailers wield, that they are asked for hello money, and to bear the brunt of discounts and marketing costs incurred by supermarkets.