IFA President Eddie Downey has said that retailers have 'made a mockery of the work and value of fresh produce', following the Christmas veg promotions, and has called for fair prices to be paid to growers for potatoes.
Opening the National Potato Conference in Dublin yesterday, Downey said that potato production is 'under threat' in Ireland, due to a falling share of the consumer price for growers. Rising input costs have also compounded the problem.
“The current figures are simply unsustainable. Costs of production are running at over €200 per tonne, while the producer is receiving much less than this," he said. "Potato growers’ incomes are unviable and the farm gate price of the product must rise as the price they receive from the market is the most important factor in determining their incomes. “Today, the growers’ share is just 26% of the consumer price, which is down from 36% four years ago. It needs to be addressed immediately, if retailers want the security of supply of Irish potatoes available to the Irish consumer.”
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Stephen Wynne-Jones
