'I wish Cosatu could take a lesson in economics'

A planned campaign by Cosatu against major retailers who "exploit" farmers by paying low prices for agricultural products would not work, TAU SA said on Thursday.

"I wish Cosatu could take a lesson in economics. That is not how economics work... there is a whole range of issues involved from the farm right up to the consumer," general manager of the farmers' organisation, Bennie van Zyl, said.

Western Cape Congress of SA Trade Unions secretary Tony Ehrenreich said on Wednesday that retailers were buying products from farmers for "ridiculously" low prices.

"It is partly these practices that have seen the distorted pricing structure in agriculture," Ehrenreich said.

Van Zyl questioned whether Cosatu's actions were "economically driven or politically driven".

He said calm had to prevail in order to effectively deal with this crisis in the sector. He urged Cosatu to instead campaign for more investment and job creation in the country.