Family farms will be gone in 10 years because of supermarket practices, fruit grower tells Senate inquiry

Coles and Woolworths pricing and market power put under scrutiny as agriculture veterans voice concerns over their industry’s survival

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

In the depths of a generational crisis, older farmers are leading an attack on practices used by the major supermarkets that they say are sending the fruit and vegetable industry broke.

On Tuesday, orchard owner Guy Gaeta admitted he was nervous in his opening remarks to the Senate inquiry into supermarkets, which he described as a “chance of a lifetime” for farmers.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup