Increasing attention is being paid to the growth of supermarkets around the world. However, while identifying the growth of supermarkets and the changes in supply chains that have been caused by this growth, studies have made relatively little progress in identifying steps that need to be taken to help farmers adapt to the new realities of supplying fresh fruits and vegetables to large retailers. A new Occasional Paper looks at the impact of supermarket practices on small farmers in Asia and the way procurement channels have developed. It also considers the impact of supermarket growth on traditional marketing systems.

Download "Changes in food retailing in Asia: implications of supermarket procurement practices for farmers and traditional marketing systems" by Kevin Chen, Andrew W. Shepherd and Carlos da Silva (pdf 382kb)

By bringing together supermarket representatives, wholesalers, government officials, farmer representatives and those who work with farmers, at a workshop held in Kuala Lumpur in October 2004, FAO hoped to contribute to an increased understanding of the issues that needed to be addressed. Reports from that workshop are now available.

Download "The implications of supermarket development for horticultural farmers and traditional marketing systems in Asia" by Andrew W. Shepherd of FAO (pdf 224kb)

Download "Report on the FAO/AFMA/FAMA Regional Workshop On The Growth Of Supermarkets as Retailers of Fresh Produce" (pdf 4mb)

Download "Report on the FAO/AFMA/FAMA Regional Workshop On The Growth Of Supermarkets as Retailers of Fresh Produce"  (pdf  without photos 300kb)