The Regulator wants to hear from agri-food suppliers about their trading experiences with retail and wholesale buyers of their products.
An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) (Regulator) today launched its first annual survey of suppliers of agri-food products into the retail and wholesale market.
The survey, conducted independently by Coyne Research, is an important way for suppliers to confidentially provide feedback to the Agri-Food Regulator about their experiences of trading with eight specific buyers (Aldi Ireland, BWG Foods, Dunnes Stores, Lidl Ireland, Marks and Spencer Ireland, Musgrave Group, Sysco Ireland and Tesco Ireland).
The survey is open to all suppliers, both direct and indirect, once they supply agri-food products directly to a retailer or wholesaler or to a business that ultimately provides that product to a retailer or wholesaler.
“14 months since establishment of the office, we are delighted to launch this annual survey as a means to help explore the experiences of suppliers in the agri-food supply chain,” said Niamh Lenehan, CEO of the Agri-Food Regulator. “This survey is an important element of the ongoing stakeholder engagement efforts of the office and so initiates a yearly process to facilitate suppliers in informing the Regulator about their trading experiences – both positive and negative - with specific large buyers.”
While the Regulator has worked with buyer businesses in the development of the survey, all information provided by suppliers will be treated in the strictest confidence. Responses will be collated and analysed by Coyne Research on behalf of the Agri-Food Regulator.
Ms Lenehan continued: “I am aware that suppliers might be cautious about providing feedback about their buyers and I am therefore very keen to stress that the survey is absolutely anonymous and confidential. Suppliers are being asked to provide an honest and frank assessment of their experiences in the past 12 months. Buyers will not be made aware if a supplier completes the survey nor of any comments made by a supplier.”
The questions cover suppliers’ relationships with their buyers in addition to their experiences of unfair trading practices and other relevant issues that may impact them.
Commenting on the scope of agri-food products and relevant suppliers, Ms Lenehan said: “Apart from what might be considered obvious in terms of agri-food products, products such as live trees, cut flowers as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are all defined as agri-food products. I urge all suppliers to the retail and wholesale sector to consider if any of their products are classified as agri-food products as the Regulator wants to hear from as many suppliers as possible about their experiences. Suppliers can visit our website for further details or can contact us directly.”
The survey is open for four weeks and will close on Sunday 9th March 2025. The Regulator has made a request to the retail and wholesale buyers involved to share the survey link directly with their suppliers. If suppliers have not received a link to the survey from their buyer(s), they should still complete the survey by visiting www.agrifoodregulator.ie. Suppliers should complete this survey only once for their business. The survey findings will be announced at the Agri-Food Regulator’s inaugural conference planned for 20th May. Further details on this event will be available shortly.
