A survey commissioned by the Green Party suggests horticulture growers are being treated unfairly by New Zealand’s major supermarket brands.

The survey, which polled 75 growers, shows 53% believe the wholesale system currently in place is unfairly biased towards large retailers, while over half of horticulturalists are pessimistic about their futures.

Green MP Sue Kedgley says the survey shows New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly is unfair on growers, and Kiwis are paying too much for fresh, homegrown produce.

“It’s not credible for the supermarkets to say the growers’ figures are wrong, and then refuse to reveal what the mark ups are...they should come clean and tell us, if they’re disputing the growers’ figures.

"Sure, the price will fluctuate, 500% is at the high end, what we’re told is the basic average mark up is 200%. We have to ask the question, why is there such a high mark up on products we want New Zealanders to consume?”

Meanwhile, Horticulture NZ CEO Peter Silcock says the mark ups by some supermarket retailers are extreme, and is calling for more transparency in their pricing systems.

Both major supermarket brands, Foodstuffs and Progressive Enterprises, have indicated they would be happy with a code of conduct.