Tinned beetroot prices soar to $65 as shortage persists
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In a display of market opportunism, tinned beetroot has been fetching exorbitant prices on the online marketplace eBay, with listings soaring to $65 for a single can.
The sudden surge in prices comes amid supply shortages in Australia, a dilemma that has left many beetroot lovers and burger enthusiasts in a pickle.
Why are cans of this humble root vegetable being sold for so much?
The beetroot, a common fixture in burgers and salads, faced a significant supply disruption following devastating weather events.
When Cyclone Gabrielle tore through New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay in February last year, it not only wreaked havoc on the land but also wiped out the manufacturer Golden Circle cannery.
The cannery has operated in the area since its relocation from Brisbane in 2011 after being bought out by Kraft Heinz.
For over six months, this shortage has persisted, sending waves through Australia's retail and online marketplaces.
The situation has been dubbed the ‘great beetroot shortage’ and even a ‘national emergency’ by some, with shoppers asking when their favourite product will return.
As supermarket shelves lay bare with labels apologising for the absence of this beloved root vegetable, opportunistic eBay sellers have been trying to cash in on the deficit.
Some encountered a standard 425g tins of Edgell's sliced beetroot for $65.78 and 450g cans of Golden Circle beetroot for $37.88.
Traditional retail prices at giants like Woolworths and Coles hover between $2.80 to $5.90 per tin, but maintaining stock has been difficult for the supermarket giants amid the shortage.
A Woolworths spokesperson said that customers ‘may notice varying supply levels’ across its stores.
‘We're in close contact with our suppliers, and we're working on contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption to our customers,’ they said.
‘We encourage customers to be flexible if the products they would usually purchase are not available.’
Coles also confirmed the recent weather events impacted canned beetroot supplies.
‘We know how much our customers enjoy this product and expect to see more stock on shelves over the coming months,’ a Coles spokesperson said.
‘The good news is that our supply of fresh beetroot has not been affected, with plenty available across our stores and online.’
Australia's peak industry body, AusVeg, stated that the shortage emphasised the importance of ensuring the country had ‘sufficient food manufacturing and processing capability to meet domestic need’.
‘As a net importer of tinned or processed vegetable products, Australia is often at the mercy of international supply chain factors when it comes to [the] supply of some product lines,’ an AusVeg spokesperson said.
‘When it comes to [the] domestic supply of fresh vegetable produce in Australia, a strength we have here is our national vegetable supply chain and an ability to produce most commodities year-round.’
‘That means any short-term reductions in supply from individual regions in Australia due to weather events or other factors are, in many cases, able to be filled by production from other regions,’ they added.
What's your take on this tinned beetroot saga? Have you noticed shortages in other pantry items you typically enjoy? Let us know in the comments below!
The sudden surge in prices comes amid supply shortages in Australia, a dilemma that has left many beetroot lovers and burger enthusiasts in a pickle.
Why are cans of this humble root vegetable being sold for so much?
The beetroot, a common fixture in burgers and salads, faced a significant supply disruption following devastating weather events.
When Cyclone Gabrielle tore through New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay in February last year, it not only wreaked havoc on the land but also wiped out the manufacturer Golden Circle cannery.
Prices of tinned beetroot have soared high on online marketplaces like eBay. Credit: Unsplash
The cannery has operated in the area since its relocation from Brisbane in 2011 after being bought out by Kraft Heinz.
For over six months, this shortage has persisted, sending waves through Australia's retail and online marketplaces.
The situation has been dubbed the ‘great beetroot shortage’ and even a ‘national emergency’ by some, with shoppers asking when their favourite product will return.
As supermarket shelves lay bare with labels apologising for the absence of this beloved root vegetable, opportunistic eBay sellers have been trying to cash in on the deficit.
Some encountered a standard 425g tins of Edgell's sliced beetroot for $65.78 and 450g cans of Golden Circle beetroot for $37.88.
Traditional retail prices at giants like Woolworths and Coles hover between $2.80 to $5.90 per tin, but maintaining stock has been difficult for the supermarket giants amid the shortage.
A Woolworths spokesperson said that customers ‘may notice varying supply levels’ across its stores.
‘We're in close contact with our suppliers, and we're working on contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption to our customers,’ they said.
‘We encourage customers to be flexible if the products they would usually purchase are not available.’
Coles also confirmed the recent weather events impacted canned beetroot supplies.
‘We know how much our customers enjoy this product and expect to see more stock on shelves over the coming months,’ a Coles spokesperson said.
‘The good news is that our supply of fresh beetroot has not been affected, with plenty available across our stores and online.’
Edgell Sliced Beetroot was listed for over $65 on eBay. Credit: eBay
Australia's peak industry body, AusVeg, stated that the shortage emphasised the importance of ensuring the country had ‘sufficient food manufacturing and processing capability to meet domestic need’.
‘As a net importer of tinned or processed vegetable products, Australia is often at the mercy of international supply chain factors when it comes to [the] supply of some product lines,’ an AusVeg spokesperson said.
‘When it comes to [the] domestic supply of fresh vegetable produce in Australia, a strength we have here is our national vegetable supply chain and an ability to produce most commodities year-round.’
‘That means any short-term reductions in supply from individual regions in Australia due to weather events or other factors are, in many cases, able to be filled by production from other regions,’ they added.
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