The Grocery Commissioner says suppliers being treated better will help drive down prices at the supermarket.

Under new measures coming into force later this month, grocery stores could get slapped with a fine up to three million dollars for unfairly treating local suppliers.

Pierre van Heerden told Heather du Plessis Allan that it'll be good for consumers too, because a healthy supplier base means better range and products, which then encourages more competition. 

He says more competition between supermarkets and between suppliers will have a downward pressure on prices.

LISTEN ABOVE

• Supermarkets could soon cop multi-million dollar fines