Courgettes fetch record $21.42 a kilogram

WELLINGTON: A ban on some fresh vegetables from Queensland has pushed the price of courgettes to more than $21 a kilogram.

Stats NZ says food prices rose 0.5% in June, tomatoes and courgettes being more expensive than usual at this time of the year.

Courgettes fetched a record price of $21.42 a kilogram — up 74%.

‘‘New Zealand has a limited supply of courgettes around this time of year as the local growing season comes to an end, so we would typically see courgette imports from Australia fill the gap,’’ consumer prices manager Sarah Johnson said.

But imports had been affected by the cucumber green mottle mosaic virus since the end of last year and it was unclear when the import ban would be lifted.

‘‘Courgette prices tend to peak in September, but the shortage of supply has pushed prices up to recordhigh levels this month, in the absence of supply from Queensland,’’ Ms Johnson said.

‘‘We have seen courgette prices briefly top $20 per kilo when imports from Australia were suspended in 2018 for the same virus.

‘‘Foodies may need to look for cheaper substitutes in their recipes like eggplant, pumpkin, or even cabbage.’’

Food prices to June rose 4.1% compared with the corresponding period the previous year.

Fruits and vegetable prices were up 10%.