Aussie shoppers can't believe the price of this item in supermarkets
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One of the greatest pleasures in life is enjoying simple, wholesome food – a delicious piece of fruit or a hearty, homemade meal.
But in recent times, the rising cost of living has begun to make these small joys harder to come by. It's hard not to notice the prices of everyday grocery items creeping up, putting more strain on our budgets.
A recent spike in the price of a popular fruit has left many Australian shoppers aghast and feeling the pinch.
Coles and Woolworths have recently confirmed that the price of strawberries has taken a hit due to a supply issue, resulting in the cost being 'higher than usual'.
The steep increase is most noticeable in the 'premium' variety of the fruit, with Coles selling a 350g punnet for a jaw-dropping $10.90, while Woolworths is selling the same size of premium strawberries for a more reasonable, but still high, $6.50.
Outraged customers have taken to social media to vent their frustration over the exorbitant increase. One shopper shared a video questioning the ridiculous pricing: 'I was going to buy some berries for breakfast tomorrow, but they’re $10.90. That’s like a dollar for a strawberry.'
The video also highlighted the current price of other popular fruits, with blueberries at $6.70 and raspberries on special for $5.
Although strawberries are grown continuously throughout the year in Australia, the current season has been impacted by some harsh 'adverse weather conditions', according to supermarkets.
However, these explanations haven't eased the disappointment and frustration felt by shoppers. Comments on social media such as 'Fruit shouldn’t be expensive' and 'That price is ridiculous even out of season. Usually, it’s $5.90 at the most. What a rip-off' reflect the sentiment of many Australians.
In response to the backlash, Coles acknowledged that 'prices are higher than usual' due to unforeseen circumstances. They reassured customers that the prices would drop later in the year when 'strawberry season is in full swing'.
A Coles spokesperson said, 'We know our customers love strawberries, but right now is not the season for them as we are in between seasons in two different growing regions. Every year we go through a seasonal change, which means prices are higher than usual at the moment.'
Regarding the premium strawberries, the spokesperson explained, 'The pickers need to search more plants to find the right quality as the weather is limiting the ripeness of this fruit.'
Woolworths has also taken note of the supply issues, citing poor weather conditions as a major factor impacting the strawberry crop. A spokesperson said, 'We are working with our growers to improve supply and expect the supply to recover in June.'
This price shock is just one of numerous grocery cost increases experienced by Australians in recent months, with the price of essentials like milk, eggs, and even popular chips rising significantly.
Even the iconic supermarket mud cake hasn't escaped unscathed, reaching a record-breaking $6.40 in Coles.
While we wait for prices to come down – fingers crossed – we here at the Seniors Discount Club encourage you to keep an eye out for sales and deals and enjoy other in-season fruits while we wait for our beloved strawberries to become more affordable again.
Dear members, we would love to hear your thoughts on this news story! It appears that the price of fresh produce, particularly strawberries, has been on the rise. But let's take a moment to ponder whether there have been similar price hikes in other essential grocery items as well.
Have you observed any increases in the cost of other staple goods during your recent shopping trips? We're eager to hear your experiences and perspectives, so please don't hesitate to share your thoughts and insights in the comment section below!
But in recent times, the rising cost of living has begun to make these small joys harder to come by. It's hard not to notice the prices of everyday grocery items creeping up, putting more strain on our budgets.
A recent spike in the price of a popular fruit has left many Australian shoppers aghast and feeling the pinch.
Coles and Woolworths have recently confirmed that the price of strawberries has taken a hit due to a supply issue, resulting in the cost being 'higher than usual'.
The steep increase is most noticeable in the 'premium' variety of the fruit, with Coles selling a 350g punnet for a jaw-dropping $10.90, while Woolworths is selling the same size of premium strawberries for a more reasonable, but still high, $6.50.
Outraged customers have taken to social media to vent their frustration over the exorbitant increase. One shopper shared a video questioning the ridiculous pricing: 'I was going to buy some berries for breakfast tomorrow, but they’re $10.90. That’s like a dollar for a strawberry.'
The video also highlighted the current price of other popular fruits, with blueberries at $6.70 and raspberries on special for $5.
Although strawberries are grown continuously throughout the year in Australia, the current season has been impacted by some harsh 'adverse weather conditions', according to supermarkets.
However, these explanations haven't eased the disappointment and frustration felt by shoppers. Comments on social media such as 'Fruit shouldn’t be expensive' and 'That price is ridiculous even out of season. Usually, it’s $5.90 at the most. What a rip-off' reflect the sentiment of many Australians.
In response to the backlash, Coles acknowledged that 'prices are higher than usual' due to unforeseen circumstances. They reassured customers that the prices would drop later in the year when 'strawberry season is in full swing'.
A Coles spokesperson said, 'We know our customers love strawberries, but right now is not the season for them as we are in between seasons in two different growing regions. Every year we go through a seasonal change, which means prices are higher than usual at the moment.'
Regarding the premium strawberries, the spokesperson explained, 'The pickers need to search more plants to find the right quality as the weather is limiting the ripeness of this fruit.'
Woolworths has also taken note of the supply issues, citing poor weather conditions as a major factor impacting the strawberry crop. A spokesperson said, 'We are working with our growers to improve supply and expect the supply to recover in June.'
This price shock is just one of numerous grocery cost increases experienced by Australians in recent months, with the price of essentials like milk, eggs, and even popular chips rising significantly.
Even the iconic supermarket mud cake hasn't escaped unscathed, reaching a record-breaking $6.40 in Coles.
Key Takeaways
- Australians are outraged by the dramatic price hike of strawberries in Coles supermarkets due to supply issues.
- The price of a 350g punnet of premium strawberries at Coles is now $10.90 as opposed to Woolworths' price of $6.50.
- Disappointed shoppers have expressed their frustration on social media over the increasing cost of fruit.
- Coles reassures customers that the higher prices are due to the seasonal change and that prices will drop once the strawberry season is in full swing.
While we wait for prices to come down – fingers crossed – we here at the Seniors Discount Club encourage you to keep an eye out for sales and deals and enjoy other in-season fruits while we wait for our beloved strawberries to become more affordable again.
Dear members, we would love to hear your thoughts on this news story! It appears that the price of fresh produce, particularly strawberries, has been on the rise. But let's take a moment to ponder whether there have been similar price hikes in other essential grocery items as well.
Have you observed any increases in the cost of other staple goods during your recent shopping trips? We're eager to hear your experiences and perspectives, so please don't hesitate to share your thoughts and insights in the comment section below!