A Coles shopper has taken to Reddit to share that tomatoes now cost $12.90/kg in his local store.

This news comes as a shock to many, as the humble tomato is usually one of the more affordable items in the fresh produce section of supermarkets.

"Tomatoes are the new avocado," the customer wrote, making light of the popular cliche of overpriced ‘avo on toast’ that the younger generations have for brunch, and noting that other fresh produce is following suit after skyrocketing costs made headlines earlier this year.

A Coles customer took to Reddit to share the high cost of a tomato, comparing it with the skyrocketing price of other groceries. Credit: Reddit.​

The post has sparked a discussion among Australian users, with some users sharing their own experiences with the skyrocketing cost of tomatoes.

One user wrote: "Coworker's wife wasn't paying attention, it cost her $5 for ONE piece."

Several pointed out that tomatoes are currently out of season, hence the increased price.

One person claimed: "Seasonal produce outside of its typical harvest is going to cost more."

Meanwhile, another user emphasised that truss tomatoes, which the shopper purchased, were more expensive than regular tomatoes.

The user wrote: "Regular tomato is $9.90kg. Truss has always been more expensive."

However, it seems that the rising costs of freight and fertiliser are at least partly to blame.

One Reddit user, who claims to work at a tomato farm in NSW, says that freight prices have risen sharply in the last 6 months, from 30k to 50k per shipment. This, combined with the cost of fertiliser, which is often imported, is driving up the price of tomatoes.

The worker explained: "I work at a tomato farm in NSW. We buy our fertiliser from across the ocean. Our freight prices in the last 6 months rose from 30k to 50k."

"Sea freight is ghastly. I look after an imported category of products from Korea. A couple of years ago we were paying about 2500 for a 40' container, taking about 30 days (Inc road time at each end). Lately, it's over 10k and 100-day turnaround."

"So look forward to even higher fruit and veg prices I guess!"

Other users have reported seeing similarly high prices for other fruits and vegetables, such as capsicum and lettuce. [READ: Pair of shoppers spark outrage after stripping the outer leaves of iceberg lettuces and filling their trolley]

One comment read: "I take it you haven't bought capsicum recently. $12 in QLD."

"I haven't even been able to find capsicum recently, I took the last sad looking one off the shelf at the Coles near me a few weeks ago and they haven't returned," another shared.

A third added: "I saw a lettuce for $12 the other day."

So what can we do about it? One Reddit user has a pro tip – go for the tinned tomatoes!

Shoppers pointed out that capsicums are also currently being sold at high prices. Credit: HealthyFood.com.​

Tinned tomatoes are a great way to get your tomato fix without having to pay high prices.

Nutritionist Susie Burrell said that with fresh tomatoes currently costing $10 to $14 per kilo in supermarket stores, tinned tomatoes can be a budget-friendly alternative.

She explained: "Not only is it hard to find fresh tomatoes that are flavoursome but canned tomatoes have been cooked, which means they offer the nutrient lycopene, known for its power anti-cancer action, especially for prostate cancer."

It seems like price hikes will not be slowing down anytime soon. The SDC team is committed to delivering fresh information on the best deals and money-saving tips, so make sure to always check out the website's Money-Saving Hacks section and Deals, Discounts, and Bargains section so you can plan out your finances.

What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, have you noticed this drastic price increase in tomatoes at your local store? Share your insights with us in the comments below.

 

[Face-to-face]

A Coles shopper has taken to Reddit to share that tomatoes now cost $12.90/kg in his local store.

This news comes as a shock to many, as the humble tomato is usually one of the more affordable items in the fresh produce section of supermarkets.

"Tomatoes are the new avocado," the customer wrote, making light of the popular cliche of overpriced ‘avo on toast’ that the younger generations have for brunch, and noting that other fresh produce is following suit after skyrocketing costs made headlines earlier this year.

A Coles customer took to Reddit to share the high cost of a tomato, comparing it with the skyrocketing price of other groceries. Credit: Reddit.​

The post has sparked a discussion among Australian users, with some users sharing their own experiences with the skyrocketing cost of tomatoes.

One user wrote: "Coworker's wife wasn't paying attention, it cost her $5 for ONE piece."

Several pointed out that tomatoes are currently out of season, hence the increased price.

One person claimed: "Seasonal produce outside of its typical harvest is going to cost more."

Meanwhile, another user emphasised that truss tomatoes, which the shopper purchased, were more expensive than regular tomatoes.

The user wrote: "Regular tomato is $9.90kg. Truss has always been more expensive."

However, it seems that the rising costs of freight and fertiliser are at least partly to blame.

One Reddit user, who claims to work at a tomato farm in NSW, says that freight prices have risen sharply in the last 6 months, from 30k to 50k per shipment. This, combined with the cost of fertiliser, which is often imported, is driving up the price of tomatoes.

The worker explained: "I work at a tomato farm in NSW. We buy our fertiliser from across the ocean. Our freight prices in the last 6 months rose from 30k to 50k."

"Sea freight is ghastly. I look after an imported category of products from Korea. A couple of years ago we were paying about 2500 for a 40' container, taking about 30 days (Inc road time at each end). Lately, it's over 10k and 100-day turnaround."

"So look forward to even higher fruit and veg prices I guess!"

Other users have reported seeing similarly high prices for other fruits and vegetables, such as capsicum and lettuce. [READ: Pair of shoppers spark outrage after stripping the outer leaves of iceberg lettuces and filling their trolley]

One comment read: "I take it you haven't bought capsicum recently. $12 in QLD."

"I haven't even been able to find capsicum recently, I took the last sad looking one off the shelf at the Coles near me a few weeks ago and they haven't returned," another shared.

A third added: "I saw a lettuce for $12 the other day."

So what can we do about it? One Reddit user has a pro tip – go for the tinned tomatoes!

Shoppers pointed out that capsicums are also currently being sold at high prices. Credit: HealthyFood.com.​

Tinned tomatoes are a great way to get your tomato fix without having to pay high prices.

Nutritionist Susie Burrell said that with fresh tomatoes currently costing $10 to $14 per kilo in supermarket stores, tinned tomatoes can be a budget-friendly alternative.

She explained: "Not only is it hard to find fresh tomatoes that are flavoursome but canned tomatoes have been cooked, which means they offer the nutrient lycopene, known for its power anti-cancer action, especially for prostate cancer."

It seems like price hikes will not be slowing down anytime soon. The SDC team is committed to delivering fresh information on the best deals and money-saving tips, so make sure to always check out the website's Money-Saving Hacks section and Deals, Discounts, and Bargains section so you can plan out your finances.

What are your thoughts on this? Better yet, have you noticed this drastic price increase in tomatoes at your local store? Share your insights with us in the comments below.

I wonder what the Italian community will do when Saucing season comes around? I was fortunate to marry into an Italian family and every year around January/February we would buy crates and crates of tomatoes to process into Passata. It was a real science watching Nonna inspect the tomatoes for fruit of the tomato. Watery tomatoes were frowned upon. Nonno was in charge of making sure bottles were clean, the fire was just right to cook the tomatoes, etc. Then there were the workers, of which I was apart of. We all met at Ma and Pa's house at 4.00a.m. and we would be finished around lunch time. For lunch there was sliced cold meats, fresh bread, rose wine (home made) and of course tomato paste. I only did the sauce twice, we began our family and children weren't welcome (too many HOT things about). Such memories are worth their weight in gold

 

[Ricci]

I wonder how long it will be before frozen veggies have to go up in price because of scarcity? I really don't look forward to that time as frozen has become a staple in my diet.

 

[Dragonlady16]

stop moaning and grow your own from 1 piece of sliced tomato, its very easy and cheap, boycott supermarket tomatoes, lettuce are just as easy to grow, as are cucumbers at the right time of year.

 

[Robbo128]

Better come to Geelong and buy your tomatoes....... You'll get 2 kgs for that price.....