The corona crisis uncovered major problems in the German economy. Aldi now wants to lower certain prices - suppliers, customers and an expert are outraged.
- The corona crisis is also having a major impact on the German economy.
- The meat industry has recently come into focus - Aldi now apparently wants to make a profit.
- The plans are causing a stir among suppliers , but also among customers and experts .
- Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Germany. We also offer you the current number of cases in Germany * on a map. The following recommendations for corona protective measures * are currently available.
Munich / Mülheim - The corona pandemic unexpectedly brought an old problem back on the table - literally: According to experts, the situation in the German meat industry has been borderline for years. For employees mostly from other countries. And again and again for the animals . Corona outbreaks in slaughterhouses are bringing new explosiveness to the topic.
Green politicians - but also the CSU - are calling for higher prices for meat products. But one of the price-makers in the German food trade is planning something else: According to a report, Aldi wants to reduce the purchase costs for meat and sausage products . If it actually happens, other chains are likely to follow.
Video: toilet paper is no longer a hit
Aldi wants to cut meat prices despite Corona: letter circulates - and causes displeasure
The food newspaper quotes online from a letter from Aldi Süd , which the specialist journal says it has. It refers to the current low pork prices and demands: "Our common goal should be to take up this dynamic development at very short notice and implement it in an attractive offer for our customers".
Similar letters circulated from Aldi Nord , citing sources in the meat industry. The two discounter sisters * planned to lower the selling price on May 29 - the purchase prices could possibly even be reduced retrospectively on May 1.
Video: Corona virus - focus on the meat industry
Aldi in the Corona crisis: "Light a fuse on a political powder keg"
Unsurprisingly, the tightened low-cost course on the delicate topic of meat does not cause resistance. According to the food newspaper, suppliers are talking about “very demanding” discussions with Aldi buyers .
Other interlocutors of the weekly newspaper apparently became even clearer. Aldi ignite "the fuse on a political powder keg" meat producers are quoted as saying "great lack of understanding" and a "wrong signal". The necessary corona measures are already putting providers under economic pressure. The German Animal Welfare Association also spoke of a completely wrong signal in view of the price reductions Aldi was aiming for.
"Aldi's demands are completely unscrupulous," said the president of the Federal Association of the German Meat Products Industry , Sarah Dhem , the dpa. Especially in view of the efforts of the sausage industry in recent weeks to ensure security of supply in the corona crisis with great effort, the demand does not fit in with the times. The height, pace and timing of the price demands met with resentment in the industry.
Corona brings the meat industry into focus - Aldi apparently still wants to push prices down
Aldi has confirmed discussions with sausage providers on request , the paper writes. The price development is currently difficult to predict, the discounter argued : "For this reason we asked suppliers of sausage products whether in this situation the previous tendering procedure should be followed or whether a flexible, pragmatic approach that was adapted to the dynamic markets should be followed".
At the same time, the discounter top dog tried to appease. "As responsible business people" you always take into account the benefits of the customers as well as the "partnership relationship with suppliers". When the markets calm down , a “return to the previous procedure should therefore be discussed”.
Aldi wants to use meat prices in corona crisis: discounters as "war profiteers"? First boycott calls
Nevertheless, there is already some fierce criticism on social networks. "We have to boycott these stores," was already read on Twitter on Wednesday. The social scientist Professor Stefan Sell spoke about the debate about meat prices in a post by "war profiteers". Aldi's approach fits the current discussion "like a fist on the eye".
This hypocrisy in dealing with food makes me angry. The trading companies have the market power and, above all, Aldi and Lidl make full use of it. Again and again. We have to boycott these stores. #Aldi pic.twitter.com/GeJFISKmVe
- Lehrfrau BK NRW (@Lehrfrau) May 20, 2020Aldi was recently affected by the Corona crisis in a completely different way: Not all customers accept the protective measures, there was a scandal in a branch. Aldi Süd is apparently also planning a technical solution to the challenges of the pandemic period. You can find out more about the history of the Aldi empire at Merkur.de *.
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* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
