The heatwaves currently being experienced by many Australian states are causing the prices of many fresh vegetables and fruit to nosedive, and AUSVEG, the National Peak Industry Body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers, is urging consumers to make the most of the situation in the lead up to Christmas.

Prices for fruit and vegetables are reported to have dropped by up to 75 per cent for certain lines, due to the hot weather causing fresh produce to ripen more quickly than usual.

“This is the perfect opportunity for Australians to go out and grab a bargain when shopping for their fresh fruit and vegetables and we are urging everyone to take advantage of these low prices,” said AUSVEG Spokesman Cameron Brown.

“The hot weather many of us are experiencing is also affecting a number of the nation’s major fruit and vegetable growing areas, meaning that growers have high amounts of ripe produce which needs to be sent to markets immediately, creating a large supply at retailers,” said Mr Brown.

Bowen in North Queensland, where a large amount of Australia’s tomatoes and capsicums are grown, is forecast to have maximum temperatures exceeding 30° for the next seven days.

“Red capsicums have been reported as selling for 80 cents per kilo, when earlier in the year they were over three times this price,” said Mr Brown.

Produce which currently represents good value for money as a result of the warmer weather are capsicums, tomatoes and zucchini.

Another factor which affects the ripening of fruit and vegetables is a full moon, which occurred in the last week of November in the Southern Hemisphere.

“The hot weather, combined with the lunar cycle has created a situation where fruit and vegetables are ripening very quickly.”

“With such low prices, Australians have no excuse to exclude fruit and vegetables from their diets and make the most of the multitude of health benefits,” said Mr Brown.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Cameron Brown, Spokesperson, AUSVEG
Phone: (03) 9822 0388 Mobile: 0411 697 733 Email: cameron.brown@ausveg.com.au