The first of its kind in the UK, the NFU summit will include a two-hour negotiation workshop on skills and techniques for dealing with contract negotiations.
There will be speakers from the sugar, dairy, horticulture and potatoes sectors who will share experience and demonstrate the value of utilising market data.
It will focus on the potato and horticulture processing sector, where the majority of crops are supplied on contracts.
“The NFU’s Catalyst for Change report flagged up the need to better support growers who have a responsibility to negotiate contracts, or act on behalf of a producer group,” said NFU horticulture and potatoes advisor Lee Abbey.
“Growers told us that they can sometimes feel dictated to by buyers on pricing decisions, often receive contracts very late in the season and would like more guidance on developing clear and transparent pricing formulas.”
NFU horticulture and potatoes board chairman Sarah Dawson said that a challenging season had brought many issues to light, including growers having to fulfil orders despite reduced yields and contracts that don’t respond to market fluctuations.
“Now is the perfect time to re-evaluate how growers deal with their customers and take a closer look at the contracts we sign, and the way they are negotiated.
“The summit will offer our members a valuable insight into effective negotiations and managing relationships with their processors so that we can work more effectively together and build a stronger and more sustainable supply chain.”
The event will be held at the NFU headquarters at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on Wednesday 13 February. Registration details are available on the NFU website, or by contacting lee.abbey@nfu.org.uk.
