As the farm gate prices continue to slump and costs remain high at the checkout, The Nationals have called on the federal government to direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to hold a price inquiry on supermarket meat sale prices. 

The call from Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud comes after saleyard prices remain low, with sheep and lamb prices having fallen by up to 70 per cent in the last 12 months. 

“Lamb prices have drastically reduced and cattle prices have fallen by about 60 per cent. Yet families at the supermarkets have barely noticed a difference in prices,” Mr Littleproud said.

While a farmer’s payment for cattle (eastern young cattle indicator) has fallen from $10.21 per kilo to just $3.65 per kilo over the past 12 months, at the supermarket it still costs around $36 per kilo for grass-fed rump steak, ten times the cost.

For lamb, the national trade price has halved to $4.82 per kilo for farmers, while supermarkets are selling lamb loin chops at $18 per kilo. 

Despite the government having already started turning the wheels on a review into the Food and Grocery Code for the same reason, Mr Littleproud is adamant that an ACCC review would hold more power, faster. 

“This is impacting family budgets right now. It needs an urgent response because families and farmers can’t afford to wait potentially two years for answers.” 



Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt told Sunrise that there was no evidence that an ACCC enquiry would deliver results any sooner. 

“Our review will be handed down in mid next year,” Minister Watt said. 

“I think the retailers have got to read the room here….the disparity is just too great. And at a time when people are experiencing cost of living pressures, the retailers have got a responsibility to come to the party here, pass on some of those cost reductions and help out Aussies who are struggling with cost of living.”

Public confidence decreases in major supermarket brands

While Minister Watt has relied on calling on supermarkets to bring down their own prices until the review can deliver more enforceable actions, the public seemingly has less confidence in the major supermarket brands. 

This month, both Coles and Woolworths were awarded a 2023 ‘Shonky Award’ for “cashing in during a cost-of-living crisis” by consumer advocacy group CHOICE. 

“In a nationally representative survey CHOICE conducted in September, more than 60% of shoppers said they believe the big two are making a lot of money from the price hikes, and less than 20% think Coles and Woolworths are doing enough to keep prices low," said CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland.

“While Coles and Woolies have been promoting how they're supposedly helping with the cost of living, in the background they've been banking huge profits. At the same time, frequent changes in prices mean it's hard to tell if you're even getting a genuine discount.”