Farmers are closing the depots of supermarkets at midnight because of the prices
Farmers staged a surprise overnight blockade of major supermarket distribution centres, fueling tensions over farmgate prices and cost pressures facing UK food producers.
Just after midnight on Sunday 4th January, around 32 farmers used bulldozers to block three supermarket depots in Northamptonshire, targeting two sites operated by Tesco and one operated by Sainsbury’s in the Daventry area.
The protest prevented loaded trucks from entering or exiting the warehouses, while empty cars and supermarket workers were allowed to pass. Farmers involved in the action said the disruption was aimed at highlighting what they described as unending pressure on producers, rather than disrupting workers.
The move follows growing frustration among farmers who say the farmgate price has failed to keep pace with the rising cost of farming, as consumers continue to see higher prices on the mats.
Protesters have accused large retailers of squeezing suppliers to protect margins, leaving producers to absorb rising costs related to energy, fertilizer, labor and finance. Many farmers say those pressures now threaten the long-term viability of domestic food production.
One farmer involved in the blockade said the action was designed to “force a conversation” about price transparency and fairness in the supply chain.
“We are not preventing workers or access to emergency services, we are preventing a system that keeps putting risks and costs back to the farm,” he said.
The police visited the three depots in the morning but left after a few hours, finding that the protest was peaceful and that no major roads were blocked.
There were no reports of arrests or damage, and the farmers dispersed later in the morning.
The ban highlights growing difficulties across the UK food supply chain as producers, processors and retailers face higher operating costs and changing demand.
Industry observers say the protests reflect a broader pattern of unrest in the agricultural sector, where many farmers feel caught between rising production costs and the purchasing power of large supermarket groups.
While retailers repeatedly point to their cost pressures, including energy, labor and material bills, farmers argue that price negotiations remain heavily weighted in favor of large buyers.
With food inflation falling slower than expected and cost pressures continuing until 2026, analysts warn that further protests and procurement disruptions will not be ruled out unless price disputes are resolved.
