Member Matters

Why now is the time for an industry voice on supply chain pressures

29 May 2026

Behind our recent media engagement on the Middle East and supply chain pressures is a simple goal: to bring balance and real‑world context to a fast‑moving public conversation that often skips over what is happening behind the scenes. With strong coverage across television, print and radio, the AFGC has been out there explaining what is happening across the supply chain and why it matters, helping create a broader national understanding of the pressures facing food and grocery suppliers. 

For those across the sector, none of this will come as a surprise. Energy costs remain high. Freight and logistics are still unpredictable. Global uncertainty continues to flow directly into input costs and is making planning for the future harder. These pressures are real, interconnected, and persistent, even if they are not always well understood by the broader public. 

Public critique has increased, and much of it has been unproductive. As an industry, businesses have absorbed costs wherever possible, keeping supply moving and doing what they can to limit impacts on consumers. That effort matters. But it is not limitless. Long‑term investment, capability and reliable supply all depend on businesses being able to operate sustainably. 

A strong domestic manufacturing base underpins jobs, skills, regional communities and national resilience. In the weeks ahead, the AFGC will continue to speak publicly with a calm, practical and solutions‑focused voice, helping ensure the full supply story is better understood. 

Scott McGrath, Director

Stakeholders, Engagement & Policy