In Romania, major supermarket groups and food producers have signed an agreement aimed at lowering prices and shielding consumers from the global rise in food costs.

Under the government proposal, producers will have more flexibility in setting food prices, something that is usually dictated by large retailers.

This in turn will prevent retailers from stopping producers selling goods to a competitor at a cheaper price.

Groups including Metro, Delhaize, Carrefour and Auchan signed the deal along with producers from varying food sectors, although the agreement does require approval from the national competition watchdog.

Georgiana Tanase, media advisor at the Romanian agriculture ministry, told Reuters: 'The new rules are aimed at boosting competition in the market, eventually leading to lower food prices.'