One in seven agri-food suppliers has faced unfair trading practices by a buyer or retailer, according to a new survey by An Rialálaí Agraibhia, the Agri-Food Regulator.
Its inaugural survey of agri-food suppliers found that, overall, companies were happy with their working relationship with buyers.
However 14% of firms said they were subject to unfair trading practices.
"There's a high overall level of satisfaction with how buyers conduct their business and there is a high level of compliance with the unfair trading regulations, which is in the EU directive," said Niamh Lenehan, CEO of the Agri-Food Regulator.
"The whole purpose of these unfair trading regulations, of which there are 16, are to ensure that vulnerable suppliers in the supply chain are protected," she said.
Some of the unfair practices companies were subject to include delays to payments, and firms being expected to cover the cost of lost or damage goods even where the problem was outside of their control.
And the survey also found that many firms were reluctant to report unfair trading practices over fears that they may face retaliation by retailers, or have their products blacklisted.
"A significant concern for ourselves and, I'm sure the businesses involved as well, is that some suppliers feel that they can't come forward," said Ms Lenehan. "The regulator has a lot of work to do in terms of raising awareness and we do have a confidential complaints process in place.
"We are definitely going to be working in collaboration with buyers to ensure there's an increase in awareness and understanding of unfair trading law," she said.
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And while unfair trading practices were prevalent, rising costs were the biggest concern for the majority - 70% - of suppliers, with input prices and the rising cost of labour cited as a key challenge.
The Agri-Food Regulator was established in late 2023, after a prolonged period of significant grocery price inflation highlighted a lack of transparency around pricing.
Last year its chairman Joe Healy wrote to the then Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue to seek the additional powers to compel businesses to share pricing and market information.
In March Mr Healy wrote to the minister's successor, Martin Heydon, to express "concern and frustration" that these powers had not yet been granted.
Ms Lenehan said that the issue was being addressed and she was confident of a resolution in the near future.
"The board of the regulator is liaising with the Minister for Agriculture and officials on that - so that's a work in progress," she said.
"The board are very strong on the need for additional powers for the regulator to fully fulfill its remit and we're very optimistic that those powers will be provided in due course," she added.
