Column Saskia Stender: We are very busy

The theme of the March edition of the Voedingsindustrie trade magazine is packaging. You can keep writing about it. We focus on the future. As far as plastic reduction is concerned, the focus is set on 2025, but the pledge that packaging will be recyclable, reusable or compostable has a target date of 2030 at the latest. That all seems a long time away, but before you realize it, the time has come. We all seem to be extremely occupied with it.

The shortage of raw materials is not helping either. There is no shortage of food yet, apart from the sharp price increases. But soon we will be fighting for the last rolls of foil to wrap our food in. 

Retailers use these price increases to get under the skin of consumers: "Some shelves are empty, but that's because we don't want to burden you with the steep price increase and we are still negotiating with the supplier". Get lost, even the consumer is no longer fooled by this. Hypocritical, that's what I call it! Negotiation is a big word if the retailer himself (without knowledge of the facts) determines how high the price increase may be. And then accusing suppliers of taking advantage of this by asking extra high prices. That really makes me furious. The suppliers have been exploited for years: all to benefit the supermarket's margin and competitive position. It no longer concerns the wallet of the consumer. 

Anyway, I can't stop talking about this either. I have plenty to worry about.

Saskia Stender