We've moved

Please don't forget me!

I've moved to alexandriautting.wordpress.com

See you there!

Xx

Winter chill made tomato prices soar

A tomato stall holder at Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Queen Street Mall, before the product became a scarcity.
Source: The Courier Mail

By Alexandria Utting
 

Have we been taking the low price of the humble tomato for granted for too long?

Possibly, if Brisbane greengrocers and consumers discontentment is anything to go by.

Over the past few months, Queensland has seen tomato prices soar and quality drop, leaving many consumers starved for choice when trying to substitute their favorite sauce ingredient.

A year-and-a-half after Cyclone Yasi devastated banana crops in Queensland and sent prices soaring, a less dramatic whether event has pushed the price of tomatoes up.

Queensland’s Bowen Basin, where most tomatoes sold in Brisbane are grown, has had an unusually cold winter.

While it hasn’t been enough to make too many headlines, it has been enough to raise the price of the popular red fruit – often thought to be a vegetable.

Throughout the month of September, tomatoes were selling for just under $9 a kilo in Brisbane’s inner city, although in some places – including Coles in New Farm – they topped $10.

Consumers unsure of reason for price rise

With the price war between the big supermarkets in full swing, many consumers said they were unaware of the reason tomatoes had increased in price.

A keen shopper selects the best of a bad batch.

Thomas Bryce, of Alderly, said he thought the increase in price was due to the large chains trying to make ends meet as consumers turn to independant grocers for their fruit and veg.

“If I had known it [the tomato price rise] was because farmers were in trouble, I wouldn’t have minded so much,” Mr Bryce said.

“But, when I asked at Coles an attendant said ‘we’re just trying to match Woolworths’ and didn't give me much of an explanation.”

“Tomatoes are just one of those products that people have to have.”

Unsurprisingly, it’s not just greengrocers feeling the pinch, cafes are suffering from the price rises too.

Yarra Valley Farms is a supplier of fruit and vegetables that services the commercial and hospitality industry in Queensland.

In Rocklea, the Yarra Valley Farms Queensland Director, Geoff Cook, said he has had no choice but to pass higher prices onto businesses who in turn have to pass them onto their customers.

“Tomatoes are just one of those products that people have to have,” Mr Cook said.

“Cafes can’t serve burgers or a salad without the tomato, it simply isn’t the same,” he said.

Prices to decrease as summer approaches
 

It’s not all bad news though.

As Newton has proved with the apple and Yasi proved with the banana, what goes up must come down.

The Chief Communications Officer of AUSVEG, the national peak industry body for vegetable growers, Hugh Gurney, said prices would fall as the weather begins to warm up.

“The major factor for the price rise is the bad weather,” Mr Gurney said.

“As we start to approach summer we will see prices returning to normal.”

Both Coles and Woolworths media teams declined to comment for this story. 

Tomato Prices around Brisbane

Coles - $8.90

Woolworths - $9.98

All About Fruit - $7.39

Jan Powers Farmers Market - $6 - 8

Aldi is selling tomato seedlings for - $4.49


Tweet - Where are Brisbane's cheapest tomatoes? Find out here www.thisisthelinktomystory.com