Self-employed farmer Spencer Campbell, from Stowmarket, said: “I decided to come along because I want to safeguard my future… and I want better standards and prices for our farms.”
He added that farmers were doing “everything they can” to cut losses this year but imported foreign grain, which he said was produced to a lesser standard, was “much cheaper” and difficult to compete with.
Robert Blyth said his family had been farming in north Essex since the 17th Century and wanted to continue passing his farm to future generations.
He said farmers were at the port as there had been an increase in low quality fruit imported to the country.
“We’re having to produce to higher welfare standards but still face non-competitive products coming in,” he said.