The value of watermelon is squeezing the family finances of Aussie households.
The summer time favorite is being bought at Coles for $4.50 a kilogram, which makes an eight kilo complete fruit about $36.
Meanwhile, Woolworths is promoting the fruit for $3.90 per kilogram, whereas the entire fruit prices $31, with costs various barely from state to state.
Melons Australia government officer Johnathon Davey stated the business had skilled a number of manufacturing points this yr, which resulted in decrease provide in the principle rising areas.
“Supply will pick up in the next few weeks as other regions start picking melons,” Davey stated.
“Quality is good and at these prices it is still good value compared to other summer fruits.”
Berries are going for a discount in supermarkets in the meanwhile.
A punnet of strawberries on the massive supermarkets is $2 whereas blueberries are about $3 a punnet.
Shoppers could be fortunate to seek out stone fruits like nectarines and peaches on the cabinets at the moment, however the summer time fruits are simply across the nook.
A Woolworths spokesperson stated the corporate paid its farmers the market value for his or her produce “which can be affected by weather and seasonality”.
“We’re in the cross-over between growing regions from the Northern Territory to northern Queensland but there’s still quality fresh watermelons available,” the spokesperson stated.
“However, our farmers have told us that they’ve got a great crop on the way just in time for summer, so our customers can expect to see an improvement in the coming weeks.
“We’re dedicated to delivering high quality Australian fruit and greens to our prospects at nice worth, and when in-season produce is in excessive provide we work exhausting to cross these financial savings on to our prospects.”
Meanwhile, a Coles spokesperson said the supermarket expects to see a strong season on quality and an abundant volume of Australian stone fruit and mangoes in the coming months.
“There is a lot to stay up for as we come into summer time,” the spokesperson said.
“As the climate begins to enhance, we all know our prospects are on the lookout for nice worth fruit to get pleasure from.
“We have some great specials for our customers at the moment on tomatoes, cucumbers, berries and citrus.”
Source: www.9news.com.au
