Grain producers are appealing to the country’s economic watchdogs to curb the growing power of multinational companies in the local trade.

Growers have endured several seasons of declining prices and steady market consolidation by big industry players, and have approached the Commerce Commission about the lack of transparency in the industry.

Federated Farmers Mid-Canterbury Grain & Seed chair David Clark says Canterbury grain growers are already under enough pressure from dairy conversion.

“Whilst the town folk get very concerned when they see Canterbury turning into a big dairy farm, economic reality is the New Zealand grain farmer isn’t being given a fair go, and that’s what’s driving land use.”

Mr Clark says market commentary and updates from NZX subsidiary Agrifax will help keep growers informed.

“It takes away the opportunity for one major player to dominate the market or push the price around by misinforming producers. So we think that’ll add to the transparency.”

Feds President Don Nicolson says grain farmers are faced with the reality theirs is a volatile industry.

“Our grain sector, they’re up against it, because they appear to have been competing with imported grain and New Zealanders were concerned that their grain was being sold into the marketplace at much lower price[s].”

Canadian giant Viterra, which has a major stake in New Zealand grain, has met with the Commerce Commission and denies the Feds’ claims.