Australians are feeling the pain at the supermarket checkout more than ever this year. With the cost of living still on the rise and bank balances continuing to suffer due to economic pressures, grocery shopping can be a struggle.

Recently, one woman named Brodie decided to do a mid-week shop at her local IGA in Perth, only to be shocked and upset at what she found waiting for her at the checkout.

The small bag of grapes she purchased cost $25!

She shared her frustration in a video she posted on social media. She said: ‘Well, I just got f***ing robbed in broad daylight. How are people even feeding themselves?'

Brodie said the small bag of grapes cost $25 at her local IGA. Credit: @jalayimiya/TikTok

It turns out that Brodie is not alone in this predicament, with other people commenting on her video to join in the frustration.

One commenter wrote, 'I got the same ones! And they aren't even grown here. [They're] from California.'

While another said, '$17 here in Broome. I’m a sucker for grapes, but at $17 a kilo at Spudshed, I’m steering clear.'

Meanwhile, some users questioned the shopper on her purchase. One person asked, ‘Why would you pay that for grapes?’

‘Yikes! I would have given that to the checkout person and told them I didn’t want it,’ another remarked.

You can watch Brodie’s video here:
Warning: This video contains expletives.

​

The unfortunate truth is that this high price for grapes is likely due to them being out of season in Australia.

The Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) said that only two of the more than 40 grape varieties are in season at this time, with most of them only hitting supermarket shelves in November or December—which is when prices will go down.

Interestingly, although the cost of living is rising, the price of fruit and vegetables appears to be declining in recent months, according to a recent report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. As of August, produce prices have decreased by 8.3 per cent.

Unfortunately, if you're a fan of summer fruits, you'll still need to shell out more than usual. Prices for watermelons currently range from around $30 to $36, ahead of the main growing season from December to May.

Woolworths responded to the backlash they faced because of the price, ‘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.’

Coles also faced criticism, but has not released a statement in response.

Additionally, mangoes will be expensive this summer, with Queensland producers struggling with reduced yields due to a warmer-than-average winter. You can learn more about the mango shortage here.

Berries, on the other hand, may be a wise choice this summer. A punnet of strawberries is currently selling for around $2.

If you’re interested in the best-value fruits and vegetables you can get this month, we’ve published an article with a full list of selections, including asparagus, avocado, corn, pineapple, and many more! You can check out the full list here.

Key Takeaways

• A woman was shocked to pay $25 for a bag of grapes at an IGA supermarket in Perth.
• The high prices of fruits, like grapes, are due to them being out of season, with many supermarkets selling imported products.
• Coles and Woolworths have faced criticism for the high pricing of fruits ahead of the growing season.
• Despite the increase in some fruit prices, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported an 8.3 per cent decrease in overall fruit and vegetable prices in the year to August 2023.

Even though markets tend to fluctuate, we'd like to encourage you to keep an eye on the prices of your favourite fruits. This way, you'll know the value of your groceries, and you don't need to be caught out if the price is too high.

Have you seen a similar pricing on grapes sold in your local supermarkets, members? Share your experience in the comments below!

 

[Time to chat]

Australians are feeling the pain at the supermarket checkout more than ever this year. With the cost of living still on the rise and bank balances continuing to suffer due to economic pressures, grocery shopping can be a struggle.

Recently, one woman named Brodie decided to do a mid-week shop at her local IGA in Perth, only to be shocked and upset at what she found waiting for her at the checkout.

The small bag of grapes she purchased cost $25!

She shared her frustration in a video she posted on social media. She said: ‘Well, I just got f***ing robbed in broad daylight. How are people even feeding themselves?'

View attachment 31038

Brodie said the small bag of grapes cost $25 at her local IGA. Credit: @jalayimiya/TikTok

It turns out that Brodie is not alone in this predicament, with other people commenting on her video to join in the frustration.

One commenter wrote, 'I got the same ones! And they aren't even grown here. [They're] from California.'

While another said, '$17 here in Broome. I’m a sucker for grapes, but at $17 a kilo at Spudshed, I’m steering clear.'

Meanwhile, some users questioned the shopper on her purchase. One person asked, ‘Why would you pay that for grapes?’

‘Yikes! I would have given that to the checkout person and told them I didn’t want it,’ another remarked.

You can watch Brodie’s video here:
Warning: This video contains expletives.

​

The unfortunate truth is that this high price for grapes is likely due to them being out of season in Australia.

The Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) said that only two of the more than 40 grape varieties are in season at this time, with most of them only hitting supermarket shelves in November or December—which is when prices will go down.

Interestingly, although the cost of living is rising, the price of fruit and vegetables appears to be declining in recent months, according to a recent report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. As of August, produce prices have decreased by 8.3 per cent.

Unfortunately, if you're a fan of summer fruits, you'll still need to shell out more than usual. Prices for watermelons currently range from around $30 to $36, ahead of the main growing season from December to May.

Woolworths responded to the backlash they faced because of the price, ‘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.’

Coles also faced criticism, but has not released a statement in response.

Additionally, mangoes will be expensive this summer, with Queensland producers struggling with reduced yields due to a warmer-than-average winter. You can learn more about the mango shortage here.

Berries, on the other hand, may be a wise choice this summer. A punnet of strawberries is currently selling for around $2.

If you’re interested in the best-value fruits and vegetables you can get this month, we’ve published an article with a full list of selections, including asparagus, avocado, corn, pineapple, and many more! You can check out the full list here.

Key Takeaways

• A woman was shocked to pay $25 for a bag of grapes at an IGA supermarket in Perth.
• The high prices of fruits, like grapes, are due to them being out of season, with many supermarkets selling imported products.
• Coles and Woolworths have faced criticism for the high pricing of fruits ahead of the growing season.
• Despite the increase in some fruit prices, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported an 8.3 per cent decrease in overall fruit and vegetable prices in the year to August 2023.

Even though markets tend to fluctuate, we'd like to encourage you to keep an eye on the prices of your favourite fruits. This way, you'll know the value of your groceries, and you don't need to be caught out if the price is too high.

Have you seen a similar pricing on grapes sold in your local supermarkets, members? Share your experience in the comments below!

I haven’t bought grapes for a while now due to the exorbitant prices. There are other fruits available at decent prices.

 

[Leenie]

In saying this, is there a requirement for fruit and veg outlets to display the country of origin on their produce?

Something to look into.

Our woollies always put place of origin on F &V one thing in their favour.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Yep sure is just looked it upand fish

Want to be my assistant researcher?

 

[Littleboy8]

Want to be my assistant researcher?

 

[Leenie]

Want to be my assistant researcher?

You would make a great team .

 

[Argie]

IGA are notorious for over charging my wife has been caught a few times using tap and go only to realise later what's happened she no longer goes there

Really OMG check the prices first people before the checkout

 

[Argie]

In saying this, is there a requirement for fruit and veg outlets to display the country of origin on their produce?

Something to look into.

I know garlic does

 

[Littleboy8]

I know garlic does

I like chinesenot. There garlics bleached to look white and have you noticed there all the same size and shape.hmm! I’ll have to look that up I’ll be back

 

[Bridgit]

I bet the grapes weren’t even firm and crunchy or even tasty

Usually they are very nice - but the cost also has a lot to do with the weak AUD.

 

[nvines]

It was my husband who taught me to always read the unit price of produce before buying, however, as a busy working wife, mother, carer, you don't always have the luxury of having the time at the supermarket to compare prices. Many women in this situation run on auto pilot and are often thinking about the next chore on their plate, such as bringing in the washing, cooking tea, making lunches for the next day, picking up little Joshua from soccer practice etc. Don't blame the OP you don't know her circumstances.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I always check the country of manufacture where available, especially frozen and refrigerated foods.

 

[Littleboy8]

I like chinesenot. There garlics bleached to look white and have you noticed there all the same size and shape.hmm! I’ll have to look that up I’ll be back

I’m back too much to report you’ll have to look it up yourselves

 

[Veggiepatch]

Usually they are very nice - but the cost also has a lot to do with the weak AUD.

You would think with amount of wineries in this country, there would be an abundance of grapes. Oh well....we will have put up with seasonal variations, I suppose.

 

[AlanQ]

I would like to know where the Australian Bureau of Statistics gets its statistics from. I have NOT seen a decrease in fruit and vegetable prices like they are making it out to be, what had come down slightly has been Onions and Carrots. Well, I ask you, is that their boasting statistics that the prices are lower? Think about it people, they pick what they decide has gone down, so they are not lying, rather than it being across the board lower prices. I can see those Onions and Carrots going a loooooong way in soothing the pain of ridiculous pricing. We are the most expensive country in the world. WHY?

Curious as to what you're basing the comment 'most expensive country in the world'. Don't need to go overseas to know how much prices worldwide have gone through the roof. I recently came back from a short overseas trip, where I paid 3 times the previous price at the same hotel that I paid 3 years ago. Food, similarly has gone through the roof, even avoiding the tourist hotspot price gouging, supermarket prices were also noticeably double in many cases what we paid 3 years ago. If you've not seen a massive decrease in fresh produce prices, you may need to get out more. Tomatoes were hitting $14/kg 2 years ago and even at various point last year, not around 3-4kg. Fuel is the gauge people should be using to see why prices continue to increase, has gone up in the month of Sept by 20+%, do you think retailers and suppliers are not going to pass those increased transport costs on?

 

[mark godwin]

Stupid twat should have looked at the price per kg BEFORE she purchased them!

EXACTLY MY THOUGHTS .

 

[magpie1]

Why buy anything these days without checking the price first.......you OWN this one lady.

 

[Loubeauxarts]

So much negativity against IGA. Unlike the big 3 they are, as the name implies, independent stores and, as such, set their own pricing.
My local IGA in St Albans, a Melbourne suburb, is so much cheaper than Coles, Woollies and ALDI on all fresh produce IE fruit & veg, meat and seafood and bread. They price match on many of the more popular grocery items and they have a massive selection of deli and imported goods.
Their stores may not be as flash as the competition but the savings more than compensate for that. Many of the people making negative comments on them as a brand have probably never even been inside one. So much for the mutton mentality

 

[Loubeauxarts]

Usually they are very nice - but the cost also has a lot to do with the weak AUD.

A voice of reason

 

[siameezer]

Eat seasonally and you won't have a reason to whinge and moan. If you expect to be able to enjoy fruits and vegetables when they are out of season then expect to pay more.

 

[GillyH]

what? really? she didn't look at the price? She had a choice. She ripped herself off.

Lots of other choices in fruit this time of the year. I having been buying tinned fruit as back up.