Coles Group and Woolworths are unhappy with charges from multinational FMCG companies. The retailers claim Australian grocers are charged more than their international peers for the same products.

Coles has called for an independent investigation into wholesale pricing stating that higher prices - supposedly justified by shipping distance, higher costs and the size of the Australian market - are excessive.

Woolworths agreed and called for “greater focus and increased transparency from the global suppliers” on the difference in pricing.