Woman's shock over $25 grapes as some fruit prices skyrocket

An Aussie woman has shared the shocking price she paid for a bag of grapes from a local supermarket on Tuesday, sparking already growing concerns that prices for summer fruits will break the bank this year.

Brodie went for a quick, mid-week shop at an IGA in Perth, only to discover at the checkout that the bag of grapes she had picked up cost a whopping $25. "Well I just got f**king robbed in broad daylight" she said in frustration in her video posted to TikTok.

"How are people even feeding themselves?" Brodie continued, emphasising the sentiment of shoppers across the country. The cost-of-living crisis has been hitting Australians hard in 2023, with many sharing stories of the exorbitant prices they have had to pay for food and other living essentials.

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Why grape prices are so high at the moment

People responding to Brodie's video shared her frustration of experiencing an overwhelming price for their favourite fruits. "Omg I got the same ones! And they aren't even grown here. [They're] from California."

Others shared the prices they'd seen for grapes in their area. "$17 here in Broome" said one commenter, "I’m a sucker for grapes but at $17 a kilo at Spudshed, I’m steering clear. Absolute BS!" another replied.

The high price of grapes at the moment is attributed to them being out of season in Australia, with many supermarkets selling grapes imported from the US. According to the Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA), only two of more than 40 Australian grape varieties are in season at this time of the year, with most arriving in shops in November and December when prices will trend down.

Fruit and veg prices lower than last year

While food prices continue to rise overall, fruit and vegetable prices have actually been on the decline in recent months. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on Wednesday an 8.3 per cent drop in fruit and veg prices in the 12 months to August, 2023.

However, people hoping to pick up their favourite summer fruits early can expect to pay a premium. Coles and Woolworths have faced backlash for pricing whole watermelons at around $36 at the moment, ahead of the main growing season from December to May when prices will fall.

A Woolworths spokesperson told the Yahoo News Australia "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".

Do you have a story on high food prices? Contact reporter Laura Koefoed at laura.koefoed@yahooinc.com

Mango prices up due to poor growing season

Mangoes however are likely to be expensive this summer as Queensland producers, who are responsible for more than 40 per cent of Australia’s supply, are struggling with significantly reduced yields due to a warmer than average winter.

Berries may be the fruit of choice this summer based on their lower prices this year, with punnets of strawberries currently selling for around $2.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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