A prominent agricultural advocacy organization is urging supermarkets to increase payments to suppliers as rising diesel prices significantly inflate the cost of stocking shelves with food.

The New South Wales Farmers Association highlighted that dairy producers and fruit and vegetable growers are most severely impacted by these cost increases.

“Farmers bear the brunt of transportation expenses, whether it’s milk bound for processing facilities or produce like potatoes and apples being delivered to supermarkets,” explained Vice President Bec Reardon.

“The spike in diesel prices has directly escalated the costs of moving these goods, leaving farmers to shoulder the financial burden,” she added.

“We recognize that trucking companies are also experiencing hardship, which is why we call on major retailers to bolster the entire supply chain,” Reardon emphasized.

Reardon said farmers were unable to pass the increased fuel costs along the chain.

“At the same time, families are also feeling the pain at the bowser and the checkout with the cost-of-living crisis. We’re very mindful of that, and no one wants to see grocery prices spiral further,” she said.

“This is precisely why supermarkets needed to step up.”