Finnish farmers demand probe into S-group's market power, citing South Korean model paying producers triple

Finnish farmers are demanding that competition authorities investigate whether the S-group, the country's dominant grocery retailer, is abusing its market position. The complaint stems from producers receiving only about 25 percent of the final retail price for their goods. The farmers' case highlights a stark contrast with a South Korean model called Hansalim, which returns up to 70 percent of the sales value to producers. Finnish farmer Thomas Snellman, who created the direct-sales Reko network, is advocating for adopting this model's principles in Europe after witnessing its success firsthand. The S-group holds nearly 50 percent of Finland's grocery market, up from 28 percent two decades ago. While Finland's sparse geography prevents copying Hansalim's logistics directly, its core idea of producers and consumers sharing a democratic organization could offer a more resilient alternative to the current vulnerable system.