One in nine agri-food suppliers have reported being subject to an unfair trading practice (UTP) according to a survey carried out for An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator).

The regulator has today (Wednesday, June 24) released the findings of its second annual supplier survey.

The survey gathered feedback from agri-food suppliers on their experiences of trading with eight specific buyers in the retail and wholesale sectors.

Conducted by Red C Research, the Agri-Food Regulator’s supplier survey covered two main areas - compliance with the Unfair Trading (UT) Regulations and other general trading issues. 

The survey provided feedback on over 1,313 trading relationships, up 40% on the 2025 survey.

Supplier satisfaction

It found a "high overall level of supplier satisfaction" with how buyers conduct their business, the regulator said.

It also found high levels of compliance with the UT regulations, though one in nine respondents still reported being subject to a UTP.

This is, however, down from one in seven last year.

Common issues

Cancellation of orders of perishable products with less than 30 days’ notice, late payment, and requiring the supplier to pay for loss or product deterioration were the most common issues faced by respondents to the survey.

A fear of backlash and loss of business was the leading reason for suppliers not reporting experience of UTPs.

The survey also found increased awareness of the regulator’s confidential complaints process (one in two), though there remains some uncertainty about how to engage in this process.

Unfair trading practices

Niamh Lenehan, CEO of the Agri-Food Regulator, said: “I’m pleased to release the findings from our second annual suppliers' survey.

"We are grateful to businesses who cooperated with the regulator to distribute the survey to their agri-food suppliers - Aldi Stores Ireland, BWG Foods, Lidl Ireland, Marks and Spencer Ireland, Musgrave Group, Sysco Ireland and Tesco Ireland.

“This survey is an important opportunity to give a voice to suppliers to help ensure the regulator better understands the realities of the current operating landscape - capturing what is working well in addition to the challenges they face.”

Lenehan said the survey findings include a "number of positives".

She said that "overall satisfaction with buyers has increased, with positive supplier experiences linked to good communication, understanding one another’s business realities, and a partnership mindset".

"There has also been a percentage decrease in the numbers [of] suppliers who report having encountered a UTP," she said.

Lenehan said the regulator’s role is to ensure full compliance with the regulations and to "support fair and transparent trading relationships across the agri-food supply chain".

“Moreover, we need to ensure that all suppliers feel confident in raising a potential breach of the UT Regulations," she said.

"Many suppliers expressed a fear of retaliation if they raised a complaint.

"As the regulator, we still have much work to do in reassuring suppliers of the confidential complaints process, and their rights in their trading relationships.”

The survey also examined the wider issues facing agri-food suppliers in the coming year.

Almost one in four (24%) noted pricing strategies and cost management as a key concern, with pricing pressures (15%) and market volatility (14%) ranking as leading concerns.