Supermarkets and Grocery Retailers

A report into soaring grocery prices, rising energy bills and steep airfares will be released on Wednesday. Its findings and recommendations will cause a headache for some of the country's biggest and most powerful companies, writes Adele Ferguson.

The ACCC is investigating the disparity between supermarket check-out prices and farmgate prices and one thing it could recommend is a mandatory code of conduct. But would it make the market fairer for growers?

A mother-of-four in the Northern Territory says it makes more sense for her to drive 150 kilometres to a larger town than shop for groceries locally.

Some Australian producers turn their backs on the major supermarkets because of what they say are unfair prices at the farm gate.

Farmers say the current food supply chain model is a "broken system" that gives supermarkets too much power and long-term solutions are needed.

The ACCC can't change the prices supermarkets charge. But it can take them to court if they're breaking the laws in the Competition and Consumer Act. 

The former head of the ACCC has written to Treasurer Jim Chalmers recommending he order the competition regulator to probe major grocery chains' prices.

Some residents of this Victorian town want competition at the supermarket check-out, but one business owner is determined to fight the opening of a Woolworths store.

Recently, 22 supermarket store managers were treated to a two-course meal prepared by a professional chef using only ingredients that could have ended up in the bin, in a bid to show how surplus food can be turned into healthy, delicious meals.

Living in regional Western Australia remains a costly enterprise, with prices consistently higher than Perth for basics including groceries and fuel.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles says the major supermarkets have agreed to participate in the inquiry. It comes after he met with supermarket executives yesterday.

The Queensland premier says supermarkets have agreed to share "information and analysis on prices" to provide more transparency on soaring grocery prices and alleged price-gouging.

With allegations of price gouging levelled at the major supermarkets and an inquiry ongoing, more Australians are seeking other ways to get their groceries.

The latest monthly indicator from the ABS shows consumer prices rose at their slowest pace in almost two years in November.

Grocery prices rose and major supermarkets made billion-dollar profits last year, but Bundaberg farmer Trevor Cross fears rock-bottom produce prices will force him to leave the industry he loves — and there are many others like him.

Woolworths has recalled shortcrust mince pies right before Christmas in NSW because of potential metal contamination. 

Queensland growers are on high alert this week with devastating floods increasing the possible spread of Panama TR4 fungal disease — the greatest threat to banana production worldwide.

Across the Darwin CBD, 58,000 square metres of commercial office space lies vacant. The NT Property Council expects these grim figures to worsen in the new year, calling for more to be done to activate empty spaces in the city.

Theft from Victorian retail stores jump nearly 40 per cent over the past year, with liquor, food and petrol theft driving the increase.

Far North Queensland growers are reporting major losses to Cyclone Jasper and torrential rain as the tropical fruit season peaks for Christmas, including sweeping damage across mango orchards.

Persistent inflation over the last couple of years means the cost of turkey, ham, prawns and Christmas pudding are all a lot more expensive than they used to be.

Several wet years and this month's cooler, spring-type temperatures have been ideal for raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, but as prices drop at the supermarket there's a real fear expenses will overtake profits for growers.

After their business in a small town was broken into for the second time, Josh and Samantha feel defenceless to criminals. There are growing concerns about the low police presence in small communities and calls for the state government to intervene. 

Simplot Australia, which owns brands including Edgell, says natural disasters have led to a shortage of Australian-grown vegetables, forcing it to look outside the country for supply.

The NT government first announced it would open expressions of interest for the voluntary buyback of grocery store-based liquor licences in March, as part of suite of measures introduced to curb alcohol-related harm and violence in the territory.