Tight Australian supplies keep apple prices up

Bad news for Aussie apple lovers. Adverse growing conditions have slashed yields, prompting price spikes which are expected to persist into early next year, according to community fruit and vegetable wholesaler Box Divvy.

“The main culprit has been the hot and dry spring weather last year,” co-founder Anton van den Berg told nine.com.au. “This reduced flowering and fruit set, and produced a lot of undersized fruit. As a result, current apple prices are easily 30 to 40 percent higher than this time last year, and that wasn’t a great season either.”

Non-profit industry body Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) has similarly attributed the smaller crop to weather-related challenges, noting that heat reduced marketable volumes during the season. The entity said average retail apple prices increased more than 13 percent year-on-year despite lower sales volumes.

In a separate update ahead of harvest, the organization reported inconsistent blossom development in some growing regions and anticipated another year of relatively tight supplies.

Pears and citrus join apples in seasonal challenges

According to Box Divvy, pears have experienced similar growing conditions, with prices running 40 to 50 percent above last season.

Tropical fruit supplies also remain uneven. Pineapples are scarce, while passionfruit, papayas, and bananas remain around average price levels or below, according to the wholesaler.

The citrus category is also undergoing a seasonal transition, with Imperial mandarins finishing earlier than usual and placing greater demand on seedless Afourer mandarins.

Despite higher prices across several fruit categories, Box Divvy said consumers can still find value in some winter produce.

The wholesaler reported that Navel oranges are selling for less than about $0.91 per pound, while Cara Cara Navels are priced around $1.36 per pound. Lemons remain abundant at less than $1.36 per pound, although limes are out of season and exceed $4.54 per pound.

Afourer mandarins are selling for about $1.36 per pound, while Imperials are priced below $1.81 per pound, according to the company.

Box Divvy also said melon and kiwifruit prices remain elevated, while strawberry prices have started to ease. The company expects berry prices to decline further if warmer weather reaches northern growing regions.

*All photos are referential via Unsplash.

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