Today I watched as veg in the supermarket is proudly displayed at 19p a bag,Beef half price at £5kg Pork,lamb the same.As I walked round the supermarket shoppers grabbed the bargain food,yet as I watched the drink Isle bottles where gathered up without a pause over their price.So why do the public expect food at below production while buying their plonk and chatting on their £1000 iPhones.There is something seriously wrong with all this,and one day when food can no longer be produced in this country because idiots like me are no longer prepared to work 24/7 for nothing,and those who boast they can produce food at that price can’t anymore.Well don’t worry the public will shout just import it,but from who because looking at other countries they are been taken for granted like us.
What a sorry state our industry is in.
- Thread starter nelly55
- Start date
While I agree in part with what you say , only a very small amount of food is sold on promotion, but it is usually the supplier who foots the bill.
- Location
- Mendips Somerset
my thoughts exactly , i did contact tesco but received no reply , the constant undermining of our produce is very destructive long term as the public come to expect it , how many people would pick up a 20p off the floor these days , the farming press and unions should be all over this practice
kiwi pom
Member
- Location
- canterbury NZ
Nothing to do with Agriculture its just supermarkets competing and trying to stay in business.
The public don't "expect food at below production" many have no idea where it comes from let alone what it costs to produce. They don't set the prices they just decide if they will buy it or not.
The fact there are still so many farmers and so many that want to be farmers shows that many still think its better than the alternatives.
The public don't "expect food at below production" many have no idea where it comes from let alone what it costs to produce. They don't set the prices they just decide if they will buy it or not.
The fact there are still so many farmers and so many that want to be farmers shows that many still think its better than the alternatives.
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
Couldn't have said it better.
At this time of year it's ALL about getting them in the door, and separating them from their cash. Marketing boffins know people better than they know themselves, they know farmers COP and margins to the nth degree - so they'll profit from these discounted items elsewhere.
"Our industry" could learn a thing or two and not budget on high prices and high demand, then there would be little to worry about as people wouldn't decide to pay stupid prices for things.
Or, they'd see the risk in it, at least.
Canada Farmer
Member
People pay stupid prices for stupid things just because the sticker price is on the window that doesn't mean thats what you pay for it...negotiate or walk away , eh?
- Location
- Cheltenham
Ah grasshopper, people are fickle you know. I’ve done what you’ve done and it is amazing. Priorities are all upside down in our society. It’s far more important to have a shiny new car in the drive on finance and the latest mobile phone etc etc than the essentials. Oh and then there’s the debt that goes with these trappings.
GeorgeK
Member
- Location
- Leicestershire
It's becoming clearer the 'pure economics' arguments that it's just supply, demand and the free market are largely responsible for increased waste, pollution and the environmental pickles we find ourselves in. The concept that every year our economies must grow and living standards must rise based on ever increasing production and lower prices is no longer sustainable.
I think it's hard to reconcile being a responsible producer yet also advocating a never ending cycle of making more and selling it for less because the market demands it. Humans need to move towards understanding that what we need isn't the same as what we want, and what really makes us happy if we are to stop wrecking the place
I think it's hard to reconcile being a responsible producer yet also advocating a never ending cycle of making more and selling it for less because the market demands it. Humans need to move towards understanding that what we need isn't the same as what we want, and what really makes us happy if we are to stop wrecking the place
Johnnyboxer
Member
- Location
- Yorkshire
It was a joy to walk around a real greengrocers on Saturday - all the food was naked and fantastically displayed
Paper bags too
Sustainable food both local and exotics from all over
It was great to to buy on looks, needs and all loose
Price ? I couldn't give a toss as it was all great food
I will do more of it in 2020
Paper bags too
Sustainable food both local and exotics from all over
It was great to to buy on looks, needs and all loose
Price ? I couldn't give a toss as it was all great food
I will do more of it in 2020
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
It's also quality - a lot of this mass-produced rubbish in the supermarkets deserves to be kept cheap, eg a 5 year-old can grow a tastier carrot than what's on the shelf in the local New World in town, it's dreadful what is considered "fresh produce" today.
Misleading and false.
It appears to be all down to what yields and what is convenient, at all steps in the foodchain, quite frankly we buy stuff all food because we know what is missing, because of how it's came to be on that supermarket shelf - I can't be the only one
WTF is anyone connected with agriculture doing in a supermarket ?
This. The free market is an academic concept that only works in the classroom. In the real world, uncontrolled competition leads to a monopoly. The only way out of this mess is through an urgent and drastic reversal in the concentration of market share.
You could say farmers have a monopoly on food production.
Its just we are divided and ruled.
The sad part is the lengths we all now have to adhear to, in order to get that food into the shop in the first place. When farm assured red tractor first came about it was said it would give full traceability from farm to plate, (did carole ever find out where that supermarket beef came from?) it did not give any product a price increase.
Saturday I recieved the guidence notes from my milk buyer regarding their sustainability scheme. Basically wanting us to prove what we're doing is worthwhile, profitable and environmentally sensitive. More paper chasing, courses and assessments.. All to be paid for... by me, with no real gain.
Everyone is mildly conscious of what they eat and where it comes from, but when it comes to price, all that goes out the window, they have no interest in standards or red tractor, if its on the shelf and its cheap, it's in thier basket. I'm not blaming the general public, It's human nature to want a bargain and the supermarket knows this, so they play into their hands with these loss leaders. Meanwhile farmgate prices remain low and the producer has to almost prove their existence with more and more paperwork to satisfy the officials.
Saturday I recieved the guidence notes from my milk buyer regarding their sustainability scheme. Basically wanting us to prove what we're doing is worthwhile, profitable and environmentally sensitive. More paper chasing, courses and assessments.. All to be paid for... by me, with no real gain.
Everyone is mildly conscious of what they eat and where it comes from, but when it comes to price, all that goes out the window, they have no interest in standards or red tractor, if its on the shelf and its cheap, it's in thier basket. I'm not blaming the general public, It's human nature to want a bargain and the supermarket knows this, so they play into their hands with these loss leaders. Meanwhile farmgate prices remain low and the producer has to almost prove their existence with more and more paperwork to satisfy the officials.
Supermarkets compete at this time of year because it is the most common time of year for an individual to change their weekly shop. If they can get shopping to swap from Tesco's to Sainbury's at Christmas, it's cheaper than just advertising throughout the year.
Using fresh produce which are the items people price check most is the best way to do it. Losing a few founds on fresh produce which are items where is already low margin is not a huge cost to their business, when you consider the amount they can gain in market share throughout the year.
Using fresh produce which are the items people price check most is the best way to do it. Losing a few founds on fresh produce which are items where is already low margin is not a huge cost to their business, when you consider the amount they can gain in market share throughout the year.
Sheeponfire
Member
- Location
- Ceredigion
Supply and demand
I actually went in to get some batteries, local shops are best if you have any not many round here .As for price name another industry that sells wholesale and buys retain.Sadly supermarkets have the power and now like what was said many years ago they are fighting each other at the suppliers expense.We can all hold the higher ground but as you shop local think who you want to buy all your grain,meat etc,we all take cattle either for slaughter or market do you think local butchers buy it all.I don’t like the power supermarkets have ,my comment was people are willing to spend on material things at the expense of food.
Some people don’t have the luxury of giving a toss over price.
No one is forced to farm, if you dont like it then get out and fight for a better price by joining forces or sell direct and take all the profit or just get out of the job. Totally agree that prices are very poor but to be honest its mainly farmers own fault by giving up the power to buyers
Hilly
Member
- Location
- Scottish Borders.
The super markets are not to blame , the blame of lack of profitability lies firmly at the farmers door .
The London Palladium event “BPR Seminar”
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BPR is not just a farming issue, it affects ALL business, it removes incentive to invest for growth
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BPR is not just a farming issue, it affects ALL business, it removes incentive to invest for growth
Join us @LondonPalladium on the 16th for beginning of UK business fight back
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