Shock price of popular summer fruit
Those who are hoping to sink their teeth into some watermelon will be left with a bad taste in their mouth as the price soars for the summer favourite.
The major supermarkets are now selling watermelons for an eye watering cost, thanks to a season change and supply challenges.
Coles is now selling the fruit for $3.90-4.50 per kilo depending on the state or approximately $36 for the whole melon, depending on final weight, while Woolworths is slightly better off at $34.32.
The higher price for the fruit is being blamed on irregular weather patterns in the Northern Territory as the fruit moves into a new season.
Australia is currently in a watermelon “crossover” as the growing region shifts from the Northern Territory to Northern Queensland as the weather warms up.
A Woolworths spokesperson said that there are “still quality fresh watermelons available” and that: “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 committed to delivering quality Australian fruit and vegetables to our customers at great value, and when in-season produce is in high supply we work hard to pass those savings on to our customers.”
Peak watermelon growing season occurs from December to May, meaning there will be an influx of new fruit coming over the summer months that is expected to bring prices down.
While watermelon lovers will have to wait a bit longer, there are a number of other fruit specials in store.
Bumper berry crops have meant that strawberries are selling for as low as $1.80 per punnet while infamously pricey blueberries are down to $2.80 a punnet.
Coles has pointed customers toward its latest crop of specials including “tomatoes, cucumbers, berries and citrus”.
“There is plenty to look forward to as we come into summer, as we expect to see a strong season on quality and abundant volume for Australian stone fruit and mangoes available over the coming months,” a Coles spokesperson said.
