Farmers blockade Tesco distribution centre in protest over farm-gate prices

North Antrim TUV MLA Timothy Gaston with farmer David Irwin, Redhouse Holsteins (far left) and other members of the farming community who supported Saturday night’s protest at Tesco.

Farmers blocked the entrance to one of Tesco’s main Northern Ireland distribution centres on Boucher Road in Belfast on Saturday night, January 30, in a protest highlighting growing frustration across the agri-food sector.

Tractors and other agricultural vehicles were used to obstruct access to the site, leaving lorries queued and unable to enter the distribution centre.

The demonstration took place late in the evening and was described by those involved as a peaceful protest aimed at drawing attention to what farmers say is a widening gap between supermarket prices and farm incomes.

Tractors block access to distribution centre

A number of farmers drove agricultural vehicles to the entrance of the Boucher Road facility, effectively blocking access for delivery lorries.

The site is one of Tesco’s key distribution hubs in Northern Ireland, and the action quickly led to a backlog of vehicles unable to enter. Farmers involved said the location was chosen to highlight the influence major retailers hold within the food supply chain.

‘Growing disconnect’ between prices and farm incomes

One of the farmers present, David Irwin of Redhouse Holsteins, shared his views in a video recorded during the protest. He said the demonstration was driven by “a growing disconnect between what consumers are paying for their food and what farmers are paid to produce it”.

“Because the food prices on the supermarket shelves have risen sharply, while farming income has not. In fact, many farmers are being paid below the cost of production despite soaring input costs for energy, feed, fertilizer, and labour. And the even bigger one, compliance with increasingly complex government-led regulations.”

Mr Irwin said supermarkets hold significant power over pricing and contracts, allowing risk and cost to be passed back to producers.

“Now supermarkets hold significant power within the food supply chain, and it gives them strong influence over pricing and contract terms. And farmers believe that this imbalance allows risk and cost to be pushed back on us as producers while retailers retain the margin. And that’s evident in massive supermarket profits while farmers are continually squeezed.”

Regulation and imports adding to pressure

Mr Irwin also criticised government policy, saying increasing regulation is adding to the cost and complexity of farming without adequate protection for producers.

“Government regulations are continuing to add cost and bureaucracy for farmers, but they aren’t adequately addressing unfair trading practices like the Mercosur deal, cheap imports, whatever, or protecting our farm gate prices.”

He warned that mounting bureaucracy, alongside issues such as TB, environmental rules and climate requirements, is making family farming increasingly unsustainable.

“This combination of such dominant supermarket power and regulatory pressure is making family farming in Northern Ireland increasingly unviable.”

‘Not aimed at staff or customers’

Mr Irwin stressed that the protest was not directed at Tesco staff or customers, but was intended to send a broader message about fairness in the food system.

“This protest that’s happening tonight in Belfast is not aimed at Tesco’s staff or Tesco’s customers. It’s simply a call for fairness and transparency and accountability in the food supply system and for policies that ensure farmers receive a sustainable return for producing safe and high-quality food.”

Warning over food security and family farms

The farmer warned that without meaningful change, Northern Ireland could face the loss of family farms and increasing reliance on imported food.

“Farming is not going to be here. There’s going to be no family farms left. There’s going to be a massive reliance on imports, and we’re going to completely sacrifice whatever food security we have left.”

He said the protest was intended to underline that the current system is unsustainable for farmers and the wider public.

“These farmers here tonight are protesting to make it clear that a food system where producers can’t survive is not sustainable for anyone—not sustainable for us, not sustainable for the general public, not sustainable for the country.”

Political support at protest

North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston attended the protest and said it demonstrated the scale of frustration within the agri sector.

“Tonight we witnessed the growing frustration within the agri sector reach the next level.”

He criticised both Westminster and Stormont, arguing that farmers’ concerns are being ignored.

“Westminster continues to ignore farmers’ concerns over inheritance tax, while at Stormont we have an Agriculture Minister more focused on environmental than standing up for those who put food on our tables.”

‘Demonstrations will grow’

Mr Gaston outlined a series of challenges facing the industry, including disease, planning delays and environmental targets.

“Poor farm-gate prices, TB spiralling out of control, NAPP proposals, Climate Action Plan targets, and continued delays by NIEA and SES in responding to planning applications are just some of the pressures threatening the future of the industry.”

He warned that unless decision-makers engage with the agri sector, further protests are likely.

“The Tesco Distribution Centre became the focal point for that frustration tonight. Until those holding the decision-making levers start listening to the agri sector, demonstrations like this will not only continue — they will grow.”