TABLELAND farmers are concerned about a lack of competition among supermarkets, an ACCC inquiry into national grocery prices at Cairns heard yesterday.

The message came from Mareeba District Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association president Joe Moro, who was summonsed to appear.

The inquiry is reviewing the entire supply chain in the grocery industry, including competition at the supply, wholesale and retails levels.

The inquiry’s report is scheduled to be released on July 31.

Mr Moro said many growers usually stuck with "the devil they know" when dealing with supermarkets and were concerned about retribution in the market place if they lobbied for a better deal.

The growers are also preparing a submission for the inquiry, which included a call for competition laws to be strengthened.

Speaking outside the inquiry, Mr Moro said many growers were struggling to survive.

"It’s hard to quantify, but most farmers we deal with are growing product below the cost of production and losing money," he said.

Other speakers yesterday were representatives of Horticulture Australia, and North Queensland Banana Growers Co-Operative Association.

The inquiry was conducted by ACCC commissioner Stephen King.

Share this article