According to Teagasc director Frank O'Mara, more understanding is required on the part of the retailers in terms of the risks and challenges taken by fruit and vegetable growers. Retailers should also be able to adjust fruit and vegetable specifications and requirements where possible. O’Mara: "We have seen many instances where weather, market gluts and sudden changes in market dynamics can lead to increased loss. One-year supply arrangements are precarious for primary producers. Proper forecasting and long-term collaborative arrangements between producers, consolidators and retailers are needed to minimise loss and waste and maximise economic and environmental efficiency.”
O’Mara also stated that supporting and expanding the Irish horticulture sector must be prioritised as the traditional international supply of fruit and vegetables is contracting due to climate change. "The fruit and vegetable sector chiefly supplies the domestic market delivering positive societal impacts — in this case, healthy food with low environmental footprint as well as the economic benefits. Retailers and consolidators import very significant quantities of fruit and vegetables from regions of the world, some of which have come under considerable climate change pressure in recent times.”
Source: farmersjournal.ie