Avocado shortage surprise

JUST a week after footage went viral of tonnes of dumped Far Northern avocados, shoppers at supermarkets are being hit with increased prices for fresh produce.

The delayed effects of flooding in March and ongoing rain this month have led to the short supply of fresh fruit and vegetables, and milk, which are retailing at increased prices.

Surprisingly, among the fruit in short supply was avocados.

Recently, Far Northern growers of the popular fruit had revealed they were receiving 20-year low returns of about $1.20 per avocado due to an oversupply to the market.

Now, the fruit, along with lettuce, spinach, some apple varieties, strawberries and raspberries, is affected.

However, Trent Haddow, general manager of Piccone’s, which operates two IGAs in Cairns, said while stock hadn’t been affected at his stores yet, prices for items such as lettuce and limes had increased due to weather affecting supply. Mr Haddow said as the IGA sourced avocados from local farms, those stocks were not affected.

“We can’t say how long the increased prices will be around, it would depend on what’s happening at each one of those farms,” he said.