BY DAKOTA TAIT
Hunter shoppers are feeling the hip-pocket pain at the supermarket, but farmers are describing it as a rort on the part of supermarkets.
NSW Farmers is slamming the price gouging, saying producers haven't raised their own prices for produce.
While increased fuel costs do lead to slightly increased costs, the organisation claims the price hikes are beyond what's necessary.
Horticulture Committee Chair Guy Gaeta says people should know what they're paying for.
"It's been a rort now for at least 15 or 20 years," Mr Gaeta said. "It's just a rort."
"The prices change every day - they manipulate the people.
"And when I'm in town, and I hear people talking, 'Oh, capsicums $18 a kilo, we can't afford that,' and that's $170 per box. There's no farmers that get that kind of money."
The claims come as Australia records its highest inflation rate in 20 years.
NSW Farmers says staff visited supermarkets and green grocers in Sydney last week, finding bananas, potatoes, oranges, tomatoes, and cucumbers sold at supermarkets were each at least a dollar a kilo cheaper at a green grocer less than 100 metres away.
Mushrooms, celery, and seasonal produce were also significantly cheaper, with onions less than half the price.
Mr Gaeta says the issue should be a hot topic on the campaign trail.
"Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison should be doing something about it," Mr Gaeta said.
"It's part of the inflation, the problem that they've got now. You can't have people getting ripped off.
"Let's put the farmers aside. We can say 'no, we're not going to supply you'.
"But the consumer has to purchase food - it's an essential item."
There are calls for the next Federal Government to step in and reform competition law across Australia.
But in the meantime, Mr Gaeta says Hunter shoppers should consider going straight to the source.
"Go to the farmers markets, go to the small green grocer, and they'll do a lot better," Mr Gaeta said.
"[The supermarkets] will sell some things for as much as they can, and it's not right, it's just theoretically not right.
"When I see the prices in the supermarkets, I just burst up, I get really upset."
