Yes, it's another whinge, so let me apologize to my fan club.

We are at risk of loosing our farmers, much of which has been caused by the duloporly of the big two retailers.

Now while there are many pressures on modern day farmers, it's these big two that have caused most of the damage, as not only do they often dictate the price, but they have also squashed most of the small produce retailers (competition) and, they have been allowed to do this via support from successive state and federal governments, with the likes of extended trading hours, something that small business simply can't compete with.

Of cause, with these small retailers all but gone, gone too are the alternative markets for farmers to sell to, something that the big two have banked on for a decade or more.

Now the problem is, farming, like most modern businesses, need to increase throughput to maintain cash flow, a result of increased costs and reduced margins.

Something else that suits the big two.

No doubt, farmers will join the increasing list of bail outs as jobs are being slashed everywhere you turn and it will be us, the tax payers who will suffer. But can that cash cow )our tax base)survive.

rehctub,

I happen to agree with you on this one.

I support small business, and Australia, like most advanced consumer societies, has allowed this duopoly to take over. I sat slightly gobsmacked when they were allowed into the fuel sphere as well, and watched as many of the service stations closed down around town so that the two bullies could take over - the same thing that's happened to delis.

A point of interest: IGA has been a supermarket alternative to the big two, but they are now attempting to get into the pub and pokie game, which is a bit "off".
Don't spose you'd care to sign the petition?
http://www.getup.org.au/campaigns/pokies-reform/iga/iga-keep-serving-the-community-say-no-to-profits-from-pokies?referring_service=twitter

Maybe that has something to do with direct selling to supermarkets, instead of going through the market system. By going direct, the supermarkets have them where they want them.
They're bying at one price, but charging at market prices. So the farmers have got themselves to blame.

Poirot, I will gladly sign a petition as I am dead against the way these companies spread their wings, I'm talking about all, not just IGA.

Wollies have not long moved in to Chincilla, a small country town on the western downs region of QLD.

Slowly but surely they are stamping their mark and winning over the locals, with the small IGA, just around the corner being a scalp for them.

The other one, while trying very hard, must be feeling the pinch.

579, you make a valid point, however, these agents have for years been the leaches of this industry, dictating terms and making a killing for little effort, as they have simply been the go betweens.

The direct selling was largely brought about by Wollies and Coles, rather than by the farmers themselves.

So much so, that one had to wait for the whole family to die before getting a stall.

Don't spose you'd care to sign the petition?

Done!

Me too!