Tasmanian potato growers say Simplot is not paying them enough for their vegetables, as they negotiate a new contract with the vegetable processing giant.
It comes six months after the Australian reported that Simplot’s profits increased 10-fold in 2018. Simplot’s Australian division made $62.3 million for its parent company’s American shareholders last year.
There are about 140 potato growers in Tasmania who sell to Simplot, and their vegetables become the product in the company’s brands, including Edgell, Leggo’s, John West, Chiko Rolls, Bird’s Eye, Raguletto, and Chicken Tonight.
But some growers say they are struggling to make ends meet, and they have collectively rejected the latest pay offer from the company, Simplot Potato Growers Group chairman Trevor Hall said.
