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David Littleproud urges Australians to support local farmers amid rising imported food and supermarket pressures

Nationals Leader David Littleproud urges Australians to buy local food as farmers face soaring costs, supermarket pressures, and rising imports, warning inaction threatens food security and the future of Australian agriculture.

By news@gippsland - 26th October 2025 - Back to News

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud is urging Australians to buy Australian-grown and produced food, as imported processed food products are on the rise. Mr Littleproud said consumers need to help Australian farmers before it is too late, with farmers and food processors facing growing pressure to compete with importers, while the cost of production at home also soars.

Matthew Ryan is urging for a similar campaign (awareness), as well as federal support from the point of view of holding the supply chain to account

Farmers demand action

Mr Littleproud said, "Labor's Supermarket Code is supposed to deliver fairness for farmers. I am deeply concerned supermarket behaviour will make our Australian growers redundant. Farmers and processors are facing enormous pressures, including more regulatory burden, higher input costs, higher energy costs and lack of labour available."

"The Albanese Labor government hasn't delivered any grower capacity building and training for the Food and Grocery Code, despite announcing it on 21 March 2025, and it seems no grocery supply chains and trading arrangements recommendations from the February Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Price Inquiry have been implemented."

"Farmers are desperate and running out of time - that's why I am now calling on Australians to save Australian farmers by choosing local, not imported food products, where possible. Farmers are calling for a revitalised campaign, targeting food manufacturing and the implications to food security," Mr Littleproud said.

Farmers, fairness, future

It comes amid an uprising of Tasmanian farmers, led by TasFarmers, and their concerns about food security and even sovereign risk. TasFarmers potato growers committee member Matthew Ryan warns farmers are experiencing a repeat of supermarket behaviour 20 years ago, which led to a 'Fair Dinkum Food' campaign.

Mr Ryan said Australians once again need to consider buying 'fair dinkum food' before farmers simply quit. The vegetable grower said he has recently stopped growing peas, beans, brassica and carrots, sticking to just potatoes and then switching over to dairy because the profit margins for vegetable growers are now simply too low.

Sovereignty, supermarkets, strain

Mr Ryan said, "Our supermarkets are back to sourcing processed food products from wherever they can get it cheapest, wherever they can get it and are now especially bypassing Australian grown products in the freezers

"The consolidation and pressure applied at the farmgate, with the foot on the neck from the retail end, is now so horrendous that it ruins communities and affects places like the northwest of Tasmania. From a food and sovereign risk point of view, once you switch Australian farming off, you can't switch it back on," he said.

Support local farmers

TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said grower sentiment is low. "Recent negotiations with food processors are placing significant economic pressure on the viability of farming across the country. Supermarket chains are also adding to the strain by using imported products as leverage to drive down prices for local producers and manufacturers. This sense of uncertainty is supported by a recent AusVeg survey showing that 40 per cent of producers are considering leaving the industry. It's a clear sign that the issue is real and pressing."

"TasFarmers believes that the nation's agricultural strategy currently in development must take a strong and proactive stance on food security, both now and into the future. It must ensure that farmers are respected, supported, and paid a fair price, rather than continuing to act as the sponge that absorbs rising costs for the profit of supermarkets and processors."

"Consumers in cities are increasingly disconnected from where their food comes from and the true cost of producing it. We need to do more to help people understand how fortunate they are to have access to fresh, locally produced food - and that paying just a few cents more at the checkout to keep those farms viable is in everyone's long-term interest," Mr Calman said.

Background

The Fair Dinkum Food campaign was an Australian movement in 2005 by Tasmanian vegetable growers to advocate for clearer country of origin food labelling and an end to cheap food imports, triggered by major contract losses to overseas suppliers.

The campaign featured a roadshow of tractors traveling across Australia to raise public awareness. This resulted in a commitment from the federal government to implement mandatory country-of-origin labelling for packaged foods.

Pictures from David Littleproud MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Omeo Mountain Bike Park officially opens, delivering world-class trails, boosting tourism, community, and local economy
  Omeo’s 114-kilometre, $10 million mountain bike park has officially opened, offering world-class trails, boosting tourism, energising local businesses, and celebrating years of community vision, planning, and collaboration.
• Martin Cameron demands Labor guarantee Traralgon PSOs won’t be removed amid redeployment to retail precincts
  Martin Cameron has urged the Allan Labor Government to guarantee PSOs won’t be removed from Traralgon, warning redeployment to shopping centres could compromise safety on the region’s already under-resourced rail network.
• Latrobe City Council to negotiate Old Methodist Church sale following community consultation and support heritage reuse
  Following community consultation, Latrobe City Council will negotiate the Old Methodist Church sale to Traralgon Historical Society, supporting heritage reuse and allocating $86,000 funding contingent on securing a VicTrack lease.
• Korumburra hosts South Gippsland Garlic Festival 2026 with stalls, cooking demos, entertainment, and garlic-inspired food on 28 February
  The South Gippsland Garlic Festival returns to Korumburra on 28 February, featuring almost 100 stalls, garlic-inspired dishes, cooking demos, chef presentations, entertainment, kids’ activities, and Garlic University workshops.
• Celebrate South Gippsland Eat Drink Play Festival and other council updates
  Eat Drink Play Gippsland returns to Leongatha's Railway Precinct, celebrating local food, drink, and music with family fun, tastings, live entertainment, and community spirit. Tickets are selling fast - don't miss out!
• Darren Chester welcomes St Paul's Anglican Grammar students to parliament house for insight into Australian democracy
  Darren Chester welcomed St Paul's Anglican Grammar students to Parliament House, discussing democracy, civic engagement, and his role as Gippsland's representative while commending their enthusiasm and interest in national issues.
• Baw Baw Shire Council appoints experienced leader Tilla Buden as new chief executive officer commencing on November 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Tilla Buden as its new CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience and community focus. She will formally commence in the role on 17 November 2025.
• Discover Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest with nature, water fun, walks, and local gems
  Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest offers swimming, walking trails, and camping, with nearby pubs, breweries, and attractions providing a perfect Gippsland getaway for nature, adventure, and local experiences.
• Discover Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest with nature, water fun, walks, and local gems
  Blue Pool in Briagolong State Forest offers swimming, walking trails, and camping, with nearby pubs, breweries, and attractions providing a perfect Gippsland getaway for nature, adventure, and local experiences.
• Applications for Baw Baw Shire Arts and Culture with grants up to $2,000 is now open until 8 February 2026
  Baw Baw Shire Council is offering grants up to $2,000 for local artists and creatives, supporting community-focused arts projects, collaboration and creative development, with applications open until 8 February 2026.