Agriculture

Competition and fair trading in the agriculture sector is a priority for the ACCC. We've compiled information and resources on competition and business issues that are relevant to the sector.

Agriculture and the ACCC

The Agriculture Unit was established to examine competition and unfair trading issues in agricultural supply chains with a view to improving enforcement and compliance with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the Act) across the agriculture sector.

We have three main objectives regarding agriculture:

  • Identify key agricultural supply chain issues across the agricultural sector for enforcement focus, investigation and prosecution.
  • Increase awareness about codes of conduct, collective bargaining and the ACCC’s consultation processes.
  • Conduct specific market studies to enhance our understanding of the competitiveness of agricultural supply chains and how this impacts on farm gate outcomes in general.

A summary of the work undertaken by the Unit in its first year is available in ACCC Agriculture Unit - A year in review.

See also: Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper

Report misconduct in the agriculture industry

You can make a report using our reporting form.

You can make a report anonymously, however this may limit our abilty to follow up matters with you.

Agriculture Commissioner

Our ACCC Commissioner with specific expertise in agriculture, Mick Keogh, works with the Agriculture Unit and assists the ACCC’s activities to encourage fair trading and strengthen competition across agricultural supply chains.

See: Commissioner Mick Keogh

Market studies & inquiries

Cattle and beef market study

In 2016–17 the ACCC’s Agriculture Unit conducted a market study of the cattle and beef sector. The market study examined competition, transparency and efficiency in cattle and beef supply chains.

See: Cattle and beef market study

Inquiry into the dairy industry

The final report following the Dairy Inquiry was released on 30 April 2018.

See: Dairy Inquiry

Wine grapes market study

In 2018–19 the ACCC’s Agriculture Unit conducted a market study of the wine grape industry. The study examined competition, contracting practices, transparency and risk allocation issues in wine grape supply chains.

See: Wine grapes market study

Inquiry into perishable agricultural goods

In 2020, the ACCC conducted an inquiry into bargaining power imbalances in perishable agricultural goods industries. The inquiry examined trading practices throughout supply chains, including the relationships between farmers, processors, and retailers, and the extent to which any potential bargaining power imbalances in these relationships adversely impacted the efficient operation of these markets.

See: Perishable agricultural goods inquiry

Agricultural machinery: after sales markets

In February 2020 the ACCC released a discussion paper which identified a number of initial concerns about issues which may be harmful to competition and to purchasers of agricultural machinery. The ACCC is currently reviewing and analysing the information put forward by stakeholders through submissions to the discussion paper and responses to our purchasers survey. This will help inform next steps. We expect to publish a document in early 2021 summarising the key themes raised in submissions and survey responses. This will also outline the next steps the ACCC plans to take with respect to agricultural machinery.

See: Agricultural machinery: after-sales markets

Horticulture and viticulture

In April 2017, the Australian Government launched the revised nation-wide Horticulture Code of Conduct, which sets out mandatory requirements for traders and agents operating in Australian fresh fruit and vegetable markets.

In 2016, the ACCC held a series of regional workshops to speak with people in the horticulture and viticulture industries about the competition and fair-trading issues that affect them and to gain a better understanding of the issues present in supply chains. An account of the competition and fair trading issues raised during the workshops and the ACCC’s response to these issues is available in Perspectives in horticulture and viticulture.

Chicken meat industry review

The ACCC’s self-initiated review into the chicken meat industry has been discontinued, following the August 2020 announcement of a new three-month inquiry into perishable agricultural goods.

Background

In July 2020, the ACCC commenced a self-initiated review of the chicken meat industry in Australia. The review was to focus on the commercial relationships between growers and processors, and was to run until December 2020. Given that chicken meat is a perishable agricultural product, the chicken meat supply chain will instead be considered as part of the perishable agricultural goods inquiry.

Agriculture information network

We send out newsletters to update subscribers of upcoming events, workshops, market studies, and other relevant opportunities to engage with the ACCC.

Competition and business issues

Several areas of the ACCC’s work have direct impact on agricultural businesses.

  • Anti-competitive behaviour

    There are certain business practices that harm competition and are against the law. It is important that businesses involved in agricultural supply chains understand their rights and obligations when dealing with wholesalers, suppliers and other businesses.

  • Business rights & protections

    Agricultural businesses, including farms, have rights and protections under the law. If, for example, a good or service purchased by your business does not do what it is supposed to do, or you have entered into a contract containing unfair terms, the ACCC wants to hear from you.

  • Collective bargaining

    The ACCC has for many years authorised small business collective bargaining arrangements - allowing groups of small businesses/farms to negotiate with larger businesses. Some examples include groups of chicken growers, dairy farmers and vegetable growers. We aim to offer a simple process for parties seeking authorisation of collective bargaining arrangements.

  • Industry codes

    The ACCC regulates mandatory and voluntary industry codes including the Horticulture Code, the Wheat Port Code and the Food and Grocery Code. We can provide guidance to agricultural industries looking to develop their own voluntary code. Voluntary codes set out specific standards of conduct for an industry and can reduce regulatory burden.

  • Mergers

    Mergers and acquisitions that would have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in a market are against the law. When the ACCC conducts a public merger review, we seek comments from interested parties, which can be done confidentially.

  • Infrastructure regulation

    The ACCC’s role is to provide effective regulation where a market is not functioning competitively. This includes regulation of certain monopoly industries and monitoring other markets where competition is limited. We have, for example, specific functions in relation to water and the conduct of bulk wheat port terminal operators.

Agriculture consultative committee

The ACCC established an Agriculture Consultative Committee in 2016. The Committee helps inform the Agriculture Unit and the broader ACCC on issues affecting the agriculture sector that fall within the scope of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Events and consultations

We hold a range of forums in regional areas with targeted industry sectors to:

  • discuss concerns and share information about supply chain competition and unfair trading issues
  • learn about rights and responsibilities under the Act and how to engage effectively with the ACCC.

Past events

Recent consultations

Speeches

Related news

  • ACCC commences market study into wine grape industry
    The wine grape industry will be the focus of a new ACCC market study. The study will examine competition, contracting practices, transparency, and risk allocation issues in the wine grape supply chain.

    26 Sep 2018

  • Poor progress on cattle and beef industry market reform
    The cattle and beef industry has not acted on most of the recommendations made by the ACCC in 2017 to improve the transparency and efficiency of Australian cattle markets, according to a review released today by the ACCC.

    4 May 2018

  • ACCC calls for regulatory reform to assist dairy farmers
    The ACCC has released the final report arising from its dairy inquiry, which includes our key recommendation that a mandatory code of conduct be implemented to improve contracting practices between dairy processors and farmers.

    30 Apr 2018

  • ACCC releases guidance on free range egg standard
    The ACCC has today released guidance for egg producers on its approach to enforcing the new National Information Standard on free range eggs, which comes into effect on 26 April 2018.

    6 Feb 2018

  • Dairy inquiry highlights power imbalances in supply chain
    A mandatory code of conduct should be considered for the Australian dairy industry to address problems caused by bargaining power imbalances between processors and farmers, according to recommendations made by the ACCC in its interim report from its inquiry into the industry.

    30 Nov 2017
  • ACCC 2015-16 Water Monitoring Report shows rural water sector adapting to change

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s seventh annual Water Monitoring Report, covering 2015-16, shows the effects of structural changes in the Murray-Darling Basin rural water sector on regulated charges and terminations, transformations, and trades.

    21 Jun 2017
  • ACCC takes action against Murray Goulburn

    The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Australia's largest milk processor, Murray Goulburn Cooperative Co. Limited (Murray Goulburn), alleging it engaged in unconscionable conduct and made false or misleading representations in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law.

    28 Apr 2017
  • ACCC approves cane growers collective bargaining

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has authorised members of the Canegrowers Organisation to collectively bargain cane supply and related contracts with mill owners and sugar marketers for ten years.

    13 Apr 2017
  • Tougher penalties under new Horticulture Code

    The revised nation-wide Horticulture Code, which sets out mandatory requirements for traders and agents operating in Australian fresh fruit and vegetable markets, will include the potential for penalties of up to $54,000 when it comes into effect 1 April 2017

    31 Mar 2017
  • ACCC calls for greater transparency to assist farmers in the cattle and beef sector

    Changes are needed to improve transparency and competitiveness in Australia’s cattle and beef markets, with an ACCC study highlighting shortcomings in price reporting, a lack of trust in the carcase grading system, and concerns about anti-competitive conduct affecting competition in cattle and beef sales.

    7 Mar 2017
  • ACCC hosting forums nationally to hear from dairy farmers

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is inviting dairy farmers to share any concerns they may have about competition and fair trading at a series of public forums around the country.

    24 Nov 2016
  • ACCC releases statement of issues on proposed merger of Dow and DuPont

    The competitiveness of Australian beef and cattle markets could be improved by the adoption of objective carcase grading, improvements to the nature and coverage of market reporting, and the implementation of a range of measures to lessen the risk of collusive and anti-competitive behaviour in saleyard auctions.

    3 Nov 2016
  • Cattle and beef study reveals price transparency issues and allegations of anti-competitive conduct: ACCC

    The competitiveness of Australian beef and cattle markets could be improved by the adoption of objective carcase grading, improvements to the nature and coverage of market reporting, and the implementation of a range of measures to lessen the risk of collusive and anti-competitive behaviour in saleyard auctions.

    31 Oct 2016
  • ACCC report identifies competition and fair trading issues in horticulture and viticulture

    The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report into the competition and fair trading issues facing the horticulture and viticulture industries has identified a number of areas of concern, particularly about the Horticulture Code of Conduct.

    27 Oct 2016
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