Farmers are feeling the pain of high fruit and vegetable prices as much as consumers are, according to peak industry groups.
Fresh produce prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks due to a wetter-than-average start to the year and flooding in southern Queensland, resulting in a massive shortage of fruit and vegetables.
As a result, the cost of everyday items has risen sharply, with iceberg lettuce up to $12 in some supermarkets.
At this time of year, most of the vegetables stocked in Australian supermarkets come from southern Queensland, but three months of intense rain and flooding have all but wiped out crops.
Catherine Velisha, managing director of Victorian farming group Velisha Farms, said it was not only a painful time for consumers but the entire supply chain.
“No one is winning, including retailers,” she told the Nine Network.
“Farmers, retailers, we have all the same issues as what consumers are having at the moment.
“The reason why prices are so dear is because there is not much stock around. Farmers who should be harvesting 100 to 200 pallets a day are maybe down to 10 pallets.”
Lettuce, potatoes, beetroot, broccoli, beans, tomatoes and capsicums are among the fresh produce crops decimated by flooding in the Lockyer Valley and Granite Belt regions of southern Queensland.
Prices of strawberries and blueberries has also more than tripled due to flooding in northern NSW.
The lettuce shortage last week made worldwide news when fast-food giant KFC revealed it would have to partly substitute lettuce for cabbage on wraps and burgers.
It prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to call it a “crisis” before saying he would make the food shortage a priority at cabinet meetings.
Lettuce emerged as a figurehead during the election campaign for the mounting cost of living.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7xaKlmqaTmnyuu82esGibn6jBtHvFmqmmnaKoeqnB0a2gp59dn8K0wIyaqmalpZi1bq3SZqOerKSqsKZ51Z6enqyRl7mmec%2BroJydo2LArMXRqJqknaRku6bD0maqraeirnx2rsFwaW2dZGawdK2Sm5uacGKbhXGBmJxuaW5nboB6rQ%3D%3D