Shoppers stunned by 'ridiculous' cost of popular fruit at supermarkets: 'No way'
- Replies 21
Mandarins are a popular fruit in Australia for a few reasons.
One reason is that they are a convenient and easy-to-eat fruit, as they are easy to peel and have a seedless variety, which makes them a popular choice for snacking and for packing in lunch boxes.
Mandarins are also a good source of Vitamin C, which is important for maintaining a healthy immune system and overall health. And, of course, they're delicious!
You might not expect it, but lately, supermarket shoppers are talking a lot about mandarins.
And the reason this humble citrus is getting so much attention isn't because they taste good or can be used in a lot of different recipes. Instead, it's because they are being sold at shockingly high prices.
Shoppers are upset and frustrated because of this. Even worse is that these prices won't be going down any time soon!
The outrage began after one customer posted an image of the fruit's display at a Coles store in Victoria, showing them priced at $10.88 per kilo.
'It's cheaper to get a whole chicken and feed a family,' commented one user on Facebook. Another replied and added, '$10.88 a kilo? Where are they from? Mars? Seems exorbitant!'
If that outrage wasn't enough, Woolworths shoppers found that the popular fruit was being sold separately at an eye-watering $2.24 each on the supermarket's website! (However, the fruit is out of stock as of writing…)
Social media users were quick to weigh in on the situation, with other fellow shoppers expressing their disappointment in the cost of the fruit.
'What a price. Never would I purchase, almost gold prices,' one user wrote in the comments. A second user chimed in, saying: 'No way…'
Other shoppers shared stories of their own experiences, too, with mandarins being sold for up to $14 a kilo at Woolworths in some areas - with customers paying even more for single pieces.
Unsurprisingly, this extremely high cost sparked confusion as to where the mandarins were being sourced from.
A Coles spokesperson said the supermarket was sourcing mandarins from overseas due to the seasonal nature of the fruit but also reassured customers that they put an Australian-first sourcing policy in place.
'Coles Supermarkets has an Australian-first sourcing policy, reflecting our commitment to strong, multi-generational and collaborative relationships with Australian farmers and producers,' the spokesperson said.
'We look to source fresh produce from overseas when it is not available in Australia due to factors including growing climate or the seasonal nature of the produce. Customers can find great value in delicious in-season produce, including blueberries, mangoes, strawberries, blackberries, peaches and nectarines.'
Similar sentiments were echoed by a Woolworths spokesperson, who said their first choice is to sell Australian-grown fresh produce, with 96% of their range said to be grown at home - ensuring customers shop from a quality source.
'We're committed to delivering quality Australian fruit and vegetables to our customers at a great value,' the spokesperson said.
'Our Australian First Fresh Sourcing Policy means that we'll always choose fresh home-grown fruit and vegetables from Aussie farmers wherever possible, with 96% of our range grown right here.'
'The Australian mandarin season is yet to start, so we're currently sourcing mandarins from America to ensure we have them available for our customers who want to enjoy them year-round.'
Well, if the peak growing season for the fruit begins in April, then that's when everyone can expect the cost of mandarins to really come back down - so let's all cross our fingers and wait patiently!
In the meantime, Valencia oranges are presently in season and can be found easily in grocery stores across the country! At about $2.30 per kilogram, you won't have to break the bank on your favourite citrus-based summer recipes.
Valencia oranges are quite sweet, juicy, and overall delicious. (They're believed to be a hybrid of pomelos and mandarins, which is why they're so sweet!) They look like your typical oranges, with an oval shape and bright orange colour. They're easy to peel and have just a couple of seeds.
They have a balanced sweet-to-tart flavour ratio which makes them perfect for fresh orange juice, but you can also use them in baking, cocktails, sauces, and marinades.
Here's an orange marmalade recipe you might want to try:
Credit: Bigger Bolder Baking.
So, what do you think, folks? Will you be buying mandarins at these prices? If not, what fruit are you buying that is more affordable? We’d love to hear your tips below.
One reason is that they are a convenient and easy-to-eat fruit, as they are easy to peel and have a seedless variety, which makes them a popular choice for snacking and for packing in lunch boxes.
Mandarins are also a good source of Vitamin C, which is important for maintaining a healthy immune system and overall health. And, of course, they're delicious!
You might not expect it, but lately, supermarket shoppers are talking a lot about mandarins.
And the reason this humble citrus is getting so much attention isn't because they taste good or can be used in a lot of different recipes. Instead, it's because they are being sold at shockingly high prices.
Shoppers are upset and frustrated because of this. Even worse is that these prices won't be going down any time soon!
Shoppers were shocked that mandarins now cost more than $10 for a kilo. Credit: Facebook.
The outrage began after one customer posted an image of the fruit's display at a Coles store in Victoria, showing them priced at $10.88 per kilo.
'It's cheaper to get a whole chicken and feed a family,' commented one user on Facebook. Another replied and added, '$10.88 a kilo? Where are they from? Mars? Seems exorbitant!'
If that outrage wasn't enough, Woolworths shoppers found that the popular fruit was being sold separately at an eye-watering $2.24 each on the supermarket's website! (However, the fruit is out of stock as of writing…)
Social media users were quick to weigh in on the situation, with other fellow shoppers expressing their disappointment in the cost of the fruit.
'What a price. Never would I purchase, almost gold prices,' one user wrote in the comments. A second user chimed in, saying: 'No way…'
Other shoppers shared stories of their own experiences, too, with mandarins being sold for up to $14 a kilo at Woolworths in some areas - with customers paying even more for single pieces.
Imperial mandarins are reportedly priced at $2.24 each at Woolies. Credit: Woolworths.
Unsurprisingly, this extremely high cost sparked confusion as to where the mandarins were being sourced from.
A Coles spokesperson said the supermarket was sourcing mandarins from overseas due to the seasonal nature of the fruit but also reassured customers that they put an Australian-first sourcing policy in place.
'Coles Supermarkets has an Australian-first sourcing policy, reflecting our commitment to strong, multi-generational and collaborative relationships with Australian farmers and producers,' the spokesperson said.
'We look to source fresh produce from overseas when it is not available in Australia due to factors including growing climate or the seasonal nature of the produce. Customers can find great value in delicious in-season produce, including blueberries, mangoes, strawberries, blackberries, peaches and nectarines.'
Similar sentiments were echoed by a Woolworths spokesperson, who said their first choice is to sell Australian-grown fresh produce, with 96% of their range said to be grown at home - ensuring customers shop from a quality source.
'We're committed to delivering quality Australian fruit and vegetables to our customers at a great value,' the spokesperson said.
'Our Australian First Fresh Sourcing Policy means that we'll always choose fresh home-grown fruit and vegetables from Aussie farmers wherever possible, with 96% of our range grown right here.'
'The Australian mandarin season is yet to start, so we're currently sourcing mandarins from America to ensure we have them available for our customers who want to enjoy them year-round.'
Well, if the peak growing season for the fruit begins in April, then that's when everyone can expect the cost of mandarins to really come back down - so let's all cross our fingers and wait patiently!
In the meantime, Valencia oranges are presently in season and can be found easily in grocery stores across the country! At about $2.30 per kilogram, you won't have to break the bank on your favourite citrus-based summer recipes.
Valencia oranges are currently in-season and readily available in many supermarkets. Credit: Coles.
Valencia oranges are quite sweet, juicy, and overall delicious. (They're believed to be a hybrid of pomelos and mandarins, which is why they're so sweet!) They look like your typical oranges, with an oval shape and bright orange colour. They're easy to peel and have just a couple of seeds.
They have a balanced sweet-to-tart flavour ratio which makes them perfect for fresh orange juice, but you can also use them in baking, cocktails, sauces, and marinades.
Here's an orange marmalade recipe you might want to try:
Credit: Bigger Bolder Baking.
So, what do you think, folks? Will you be buying mandarins at these prices? If not, what fruit are you buying that is more affordable? We’d love to hear your tips below.
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