Criticism of retail giant Tesco has been building as farmers have started to speak out about the supermarket's “bullying” tactics.

More producers have come forward to accuse the retailer of asking for up-front payments and loans to bolster profits.

Others have complained of changes to contract terms as Tesco strives to cut prices to appeal to consumers lured to budget stores Aldi and Lidl in the face of the credit crunch.

Latest stories:

• Farmers criticise Tesco's 'bullying' tactics
  
• Is Tesco going too far? Producer complaints lead to allegations by industry officials
  
• 'Supermarket's bullying must stop', says NFU