Potato farmers are threatening to call for a consumer boycott of potato products in fastfood outlets and grocers, unless processors increase their prices by A$30/tonne.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
“We’ve had huge increases in the cost of producing potatoes, but no rise in our rate of payment,” explained Richard Bovill, spokesman for the 400-member strong potato growers action group.
“We want to get some parity, the companies have been increasing their prices but we haven’t had a price rise for ten years […] In fact, three years ago we agreed to a A$8-a-tonne reduction asked for by the processors to help with exports due to the weakening Australian dollar.”
Meanwhile, said Simplot Process Potato Growers chairman Max McKenna, processors are proving they can absorb extra costs by running price promotions and regularly discounting products in the supermarkets.
The processors have until the end of next week to respond to the growers’ demands. If this deadline is not met, the growers will stage a blockade using farm machinery and tractors, and encourage consumers to show their support through a boycott of fries from McDonald’s and Burger King, or of potato products from McCain and Birdseye.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData“We’re fed up,” said Bovill: “Enough is enough. We have to take some action.”
