Longford MEP sounds alarm on widening gap between farm and retail food prices

Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has called for urgent action to address the growing disparity between farm-gate prices and retail profits in the European food supply chain.

Speaking at the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, MEP Mullooly highlighted the pressing need for fair trading practices and increased transparency in pricing, emphasising that there is currently no mechanism in place for farmers to recover escalating costs.
Based on the report requested by the commission, Mullooly declared, "This is clear evidence of the unfair trading practices operating within the supply chain. Farmers are the weakest link, and the prices being paid are a glaring example of the exploitation of farm families."

The report presented a stark example of price discrepancies, noting that while farmers may receive as little as 40 cents per kilo for their potatoes, supermarkets can charge up to €2.40 per kilo. Mullooly argued that such low prices for farmers are putting their livelihoods in jeopardy.
"We see evidence of this every week," Mullooly added. "The slice for the farmer gets smaller and smaller, but today we have evidence that the profits after trading costs are taken into consideration are growing while the farmers' margin gets smaller all the time."

Commission officials acknowledged the problem, particularly for small to medium-sized farmers who are under significant pressure. In response, Mullooly demanded that the Commission take appropriate action, citing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's commitment to maintaining the family farm structure throughout Europe.

The Independent Ireland MEP also highlighted the interconnection between food and energy costs, which have escalated.
"Higher energy prices lead to higher prices of fertiliser, diesel, and other energy-intensive products required by farmers, resulting in lower affordability for farmers, especially for farm products with lower profit margins. Yet we have also been told that consumer prices are rising in many areas in Europe – thanks to the over-influence of food traders, and this must be brought to a stop."