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European farmers’ income has come under rising pressure from a number of factors, ranging from climate change, high input costs, the Russia embargo and sluggish demand from China.
Compounding the challenge for EU farmers are significant imbalances in bargaining power within the food supply chain, resulting in unfair trading practices at the expense of smallholders.
Farmers are exploring ways to reduce the role of intermediaries and sell directly to consumers, with short food supply chains now cited as a new mantra.
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Short food chains seen as answer to farmers’ pay and product quality
Local markets, where farmers and producers sell directly to the consumer, have prospered across the EU in both rural and urban areas in recent years.
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Weak cooperatives and high input costs hike Greek food prices
In Greece, cooperatives play a limited role in the food supply chain. Combined with rising overhead costs, this has contributed to the erosion of local farmers' incomes, while emptying the wallets of consumers.
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Germany’s cheap food prices come at a cost, study finds
Germans love to do their food shopping at discount retailers. But the costs incurred in order to provide such cheap prices are enormous and society is paying through the nose for it. EURACTIV Germany reports.
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Spanish farmers say new CAP should provide dignity
Agri-food producers recognise the need to become competitive and sustainable. But they also need to deal with market volatility, price imbalances in the value chain, uncertainty generated by free trade agreements and Russia's ban on EU imports. EURACTIV’s partner EFEAgro reports.
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EU agricultural income since 2005
Challenges ranging from volatile markets, high input costs and the Russian ban on agricultural exports to sluggish Chinese demand, have put a great deal of pressure on the income of EU farmers
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No quick and easy fix to food price issue, EU official admits
There will be no easy solution to high food prices in Europe unless the supply chain is made transparent and farmers get organised to take a bigger slice of the market, a European Commission official has warned.