Are supermarket watermelon prices a rip-off?
- Replies 10
Summer is here, and you know what that means… Watermelon season! This delicious and refreshing fruit is the perfect way to enjoy the warm weather, whether you're eating it as-is or using it in smoothies, salads or other dishes.
But as any savvy shopper knows, prices for seasonal produce can fluctuate a lot depending on supply and demand. And with Aussies going crazy for watermelons at this time of year, we've noticed that their price tags have been skyrocketing as well.
One mum took to Woolworths' Facebook page this week to express her disappointment over the cost of a quarter watermelon for $8.58 and a whole one for $34.32 – which she says is making her take her grocery shopping elsewhere from now on.
Sadly, it doesn't get any better at Coles either – with a similar-sized quarter setting customers back $7.76 while a whole melon will put you out of pocket by $31.20 (prices are calculated based on price per kilogram). Ouch!
So, what gives? Is our favourite supermarket ripping us off? Or are there other factors at play here? Let's take a closer look…
![Screen Shot 2022-12-02 at 11.41.16 AM.png Screen Shot 2022-12-02 at 11.41.16 AM.png](https://seniorsdiscountclub.com.au/data/attachments/9/9858-bf55a8a23c2e657dbea58a56be1ae496.jpg)
The cost of watermelons
As you may have guessed, the cost of watermelons at Woolies and Coles is directly linked to the price farmers receive for their produce, which can be affected by many different things like the weather, global market prices, and the time of year.
Right now, we're in the early stages of watermelon season (which runs from December to May), and unfortunately, the season has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start due to wet growing conditions. This has resulted in a reduced supply of watermelons, driving prices up as supermarkets compete for the limited amount of fresh melons available.
Fortunately, our farmers have told us that they've got a great crop on the way just in time for Christmas, so our customers can expect to see an improvement in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, we recommend that you head down to your local fruit and veg shop to see if you can snag a watermelon for a better price. Or, if you're patient enough to wait a few more weeks, you may be able to find one at a lower cost once watermelon season is in full swing.
It's also important to remember that both Woolworths and Coles are committed to providing quality Australian fruit and vegetables to their customers at a great value – and when in-season produce is in high supply, they work hard to pass those savings on to shoppers.
So although the cost of watermelons is high right now, it's only temporary, and you can rest assured that as soon as prices drop, the supermarket prices will too.
So, there you have it: the truth behind the high cost of watermelons at our supermarkets. We hope this puts your mind at ease, and in the meantime, we recommend that you buy in bulk or wait a few weeks until prices drop. Happy shopping!
But as any savvy shopper knows, prices for seasonal produce can fluctuate a lot depending on supply and demand. And with Aussies going crazy for watermelons at this time of year, we've noticed that their price tags have been skyrocketing as well.
One mum took to Woolworths' Facebook page this week to express her disappointment over the cost of a quarter watermelon for $8.58 and a whole one for $34.32 – which she says is making her take her grocery shopping elsewhere from now on.
Sadly, it doesn't get any better at Coles either – with a similar-sized quarter setting customers back $7.76 while a whole melon will put you out of pocket by $31.20 (prices are calculated based on price per kilogram). Ouch!
So, what gives? Is our favourite supermarket ripping us off? Or are there other factors at play here? Let's take a closer look…
![Screen Shot 2022-12-02 at 11.41.16 AM.png Screen Shot 2022-12-02 at 11.41.16 AM.png](https://seniorsdiscountclub.com.au/data/attachments/9/9858-bf55a8a23c2e657dbea58a56be1ae496.jpg)
There is a chance that watermelon costs will go down shortly, but for now, they are unusually high. Credit: Pexels/Pixabay.
The cost of watermelons
As you may have guessed, the cost of watermelons at Woolies and Coles is directly linked to the price farmers receive for their produce, which can be affected by many different things like the weather, global market prices, and the time of year.
Right now, we're in the early stages of watermelon season (which runs from December to May), and unfortunately, the season has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start due to wet growing conditions. This has resulted in a reduced supply of watermelons, driving prices up as supermarkets compete for the limited amount of fresh melons available.
Fortunately, our farmers have told us that they've got a great crop on the way just in time for Christmas, so our customers can expect to see an improvement in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, we recommend that you head down to your local fruit and veg shop to see if you can snag a watermelon for a better price. Or, if you're patient enough to wait a few more weeks, you may be able to find one at a lower cost once watermelon season is in full swing.
It's also important to remember that both Woolworths and Coles are committed to providing quality Australian fruit and vegetables to their customers at a great value – and when in-season produce is in high supply, they work hard to pass those savings on to shoppers.
So although the cost of watermelons is high right now, it's only temporary, and you can rest assured that as soon as prices drop, the supermarket prices will too.
Key Takeaways
- A customer shared her frustration on social media after discovering that the price for a typical watermelon at Woolworths and Coles is more than $30.
- The start of the watermelon season has been hampered by rainy growing conditions, resulting in less availability and higher pricing in supermarkets.
- Farmers say they're expecting a bumper harvest just in time for summer, which means shoppers may anticipate a price drop in the coming weeks.