Farmers fear for future as supermarkets crunch costs

Federal MPs Bob Katter and Andrew Gee address media outside an inquiry into supermarket pricing. (Stephanie Gardiner/AAP PHOTOS)

Producers and farmers warn of a mass exodus from the agriculture industry because of the low prices being paid for their goods by major supermarkets.

A Senate committee examining supermarket prices has held hearings on Tuesday at Orange in the NSW Central West, with farmers laying bare their struggles dealing with the powerful duopoly of Coles and Woolworths.