Supply shortages send out-of season chilli prices soaring

Locally grown chilli prices have got spicy – in fact almost too hot to handle – as they tip over more than $220 a kilogram.

The eye-watering price shocked Australian couple Mark and Joanne Radnor, who were sent a photograph of the price at New World Blenheim by their daughter, Emily.

’’We have two daughters in NZ, and travel there when Covid lets us, and the prices in supermarkets in NZ makes our eyes water,’’ Mark said.

‘‘One of our daughters recently sent us a photo of chillies in her supermarket, and I have retorted with one of the chillies in our supermarket, at literally a tenth of the price,’’ said Mark.

The photo showed the New Zealandgrown loose red chillies were $229.9 a kilogram.

Mark’s photo of Australia-grown chillies at his local Woolworths in Wangaratta, Victoria, showed they were selling for A$26/kg (NZ$28.92).

Foodstuffs has been approached for comment. A spokesperson for Woolworths in Australia said it had a warmer climate that was better suited to growing chillies and ensuring a supply year-round.

Ajay Jina, managing director of Jina’s World of Fresh Produce, said chillies were out of season during winter. ‘‘However, there are a few selected growers nationwide that can supply, with increased costs, at this time of year in the off-season.’’

The supply shortage had been exacerbated by a major grower pulling out its crops early, he said.

‘‘This has led to an increased shortage. With ever-increasing costs and this shortage of supply, the price of chillies has risen.’’

Jina said the best thing to do avoid the price hikes was to buy in season, with summer being the cheapest time to buy.

‘‘Buy plenty and freeze them. They freeze really well and will then be affordable and convenient at any time.’’

In October last year, chilli lovers were urged to grown their own after the price per kg reached $121.99.