Shoppers share concerns over produce prices in Australia. Is it time to remove this staple from your shopping list?
- Replies 1
If you've been to your local supermarket and nearly fainted at the price of produce, you're not alone!
Many Aussies are scratching their heads as the once humble pantry staple has suddenly become a luxury item.
To add insult to injury, the quality just isn't what it used to be.
A shopper recently saw tomatoes at a jaw-dropping price of $14.99 per kilo at their local market.
The price is more than double what it used to cost, which is about $4 to $6 per kilo.
Even the big supermarkets are not offering much relief.
Coles is selling tomatoes for $12.90 per kilo, and ALDI's best price for these lycopene-filled fruit is $10.99 per kilo.
While Woolworths has not posted about their per-kilo price for tomatoes, Roma tomatoes sold in-store cost $1.16 each.
Yet, the issue goes beyond the staple's price increase.
Shoppers have also noticed that the tomatoes look different.
The produce they stumbled upon was pale, under-ripe, and lacked the juicy, sun-ripened flavour many Aussies love.
For many families, tomatoes are a non-negotiable ingredient.
It's a star in classic toasted cheese and tomato sangas, potato salads, and pasta sauces for dinner.
However, with the high price and low quality, many home cooks are forced to slice them into thinner cuts to make them last.
What is happening to Australia's tomatoes?
According to Josh Ball, the co-founder of Farmer's Pick, it's a perfect storm of seasonal changes.
'Typically, the majority of summer and autumn tomatoes come from large outdoor farms in central Victoria, while smaller greenhouse growers operate mainly in Virginia, South Australia, and the Sydney Basin,' Mr Ball shared.
'As we are in winter, production shifts to open-field farms in southern and central Queensland, with northern Queensland supplying winter crops.'
'Unfortunately, heavy rainfall earlier this year in central and northern Queensland damaged existing crops and delayed planting, which has tightened supply,' Mr Ball added.
'Adding to this, two of the country's largest glasshouse farms, known for year-round production, have faced virus outbreaks that led to quarantines and significant reductions in their plantings.'
The supermarkets are not hiding the problem, either.
Woolworths put up a notice on their website regarding their tomato supply and its low stock levels.
Coles has posted similar signs in-store, explaining the limited availability of tomatoes.
However, they assured their customers that the available, lighter-coloured tomatoes have the same taste and quality despite their pale exterior.
Can you grow your own tomatoes?
With supermarket prices through the roof, many Aussies are wondering if it's time to dust off their gardening gloves and grow their own.
The good news is it's definitely possible, even with the looming winter season!
'With the right setup, you can grow tomatoes indoors throughout the cooler winter months,' Ash Makin, Bunnings' National Greenlife Buyer, shared.
'While tomatoes typically love warmth and sunlight, indoor environments can easily be adapted with things like grow lights and the right container setups to support healthy growth year-round.'
With proper care, you could be picking your tomatoes within 10 to 12 weeks.
Here's a comprehensive tutorial on how to grow tomatoes at home:
Source: Lucas Grows Best/YouTube
If growing tomatoes is not an option, there's another way to get your tomato fix.
Farmer's Pick has 'rescued' over 50,000 kilos of tomatoes since January 2025.
This produce did not make the cut for supermarkets due to minor blemishes and odd sizes.
However, these tomatoes are perfect for cooking and consumption.
Instead of going to waste, they're included in Farmer's Pick's seasonal produce boxes, which are 30 per cent cheaper than supermarket prices.
While these rescued tomatoes are not directly linked to the recent weather and virus issues, buying them helps support Aussie farmers and keeps good food out of landfills.
Have you noticed the price and quality of tomatoes lately? Have you tried growing your own, or do you have any clever tips for making them go further? Share your stories, advice, and tomato tales in the comments below.
MORE NEWS: Salads could be dangerous! Coles yanks produce off shelves across Australia
Many Aussies are scratching their heads as the once humble pantry staple has suddenly become a luxury item.
To add insult to injury, the quality just isn't what it used to be.
A shopper recently saw tomatoes at a jaw-dropping price of $14.99 per kilo at their local market.
The price is more than double what it used to cost, which is about $4 to $6 per kilo.
Even the big supermarkets are not offering much relief.
Supermarket tomatoes have become noticeably paler compared to previous batches. Image Credit: Pexels/Markus Spiske
Coles is selling tomatoes for $12.90 per kilo, and ALDI's best price for these lycopene-filled fruit is $10.99 per kilo.
While Woolworths has not posted about their per-kilo price for tomatoes, Roma tomatoes sold in-store cost $1.16 each.
Yet, the issue goes beyond the staple's price increase.
Shoppers have also noticed that the tomatoes look different.
The produce they stumbled upon was pale, under-ripe, and lacked the juicy, sun-ripened flavour many Aussies love.
For many families, tomatoes are a non-negotiable ingredient.
It's a star in classic toasted cheese and tomato sangas, potato salads, and pasta sauces for dinner.
However, with the high price and low quality, many home cooks are forced to slice them into thinner cuts to make them last.
What is happening to Australia's tomatoes?
According to Josh Ball, the co-founder of Farmer's Pick, it's a perfect storm of seasonal changes.
'Typically, the majority of summer and autumn tomatoes come from large outdoor farms in central Victoria, while smaller greenhouse growers operate mainly in Virginia, South Australia, and the Sydney Basin,' Mr Ball shared.
'As we are in winter, production shifts to open-field farms in southern and central Queensland, with northern Queensland supplying winter crops.'
'Unfortunately, heavy rainfall earlier this year in central and northern Queensland damaged existing crops and delayed planting, which has tightened supply,' Mr Ball added.
'Adding to this, two of the country's largest glasshouse farms, known for year-round production, have faced virus outbreaks that led to quarantines and significant reductions in their plantings.'
The supermarkets are not hiding the problem, either.
Woolworths put up a notice on their website regarding their tomato supply and its low stock levels.
Coles has posted similar signs in-store, explaining the limited availability of tomatoes.
However, they assured their customers that the available, lighter-coloured tomatoes have the same taste and quality despite their pale exterior.
Can you grow your own tomatoes?
With supermarket prices through the roof, many Aussies are wondering if it's time to dust off their gardening gloves and grow their own.
The good news is it's definitely possible, even with the looming winter season!
'With the right setup, you can grow tomatoes indoors throughout the cooler winter months,' Ash Makin, Bunnings' National Greenlife Buyer, shared.
'While tomatoes typically love warmth and sunlight, indoor environments can easily be adapted with things like grow lights and the right container setups to support healthy growth year-round.'
With proper care, you could be picking your tomatoes within 10 to 12 weeks.
Here's a comprehensive tutorial on how to grow tomatoes at home:
Source: Lucas Grows Best/YouTube
If growing tomatoes is not an option, there's another way to get your tomato fix.
Farmer's Pick has 'rescued' over 50,000 kilos of tomatoes since January 2025.
This produce did not make the cut for supermarkets due to minor blemishes and odd sizes.
However, these tomatoes are perfect for cooking and consumption.
Instead of going to waste, they're included in Farmer's Pick's seasonal produce boxes, which are 30 per cent cheaper than supermarket prices.
While these rescued tomatoes are not directly linked to the recent weather and virus issues, buying them helps support Aussie farmers and keeps good food out of landfills.
MORE NEWS: Salads could be dangerous! Coles yanks produce off shelves across Australia
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