Australian tomato supply to return to normal in around 10 days

According to growers, Australia's tomato shortage should end in around 10 days. The comments come as consumers complain about price hikes and poor quality produce on social media.

Tomatoes are currently being sold for up to $11 a kilo, or around $1.50 each online, due to a shortage caused by Cyclone Debbie back in late March. Angry customers have criticised the big supermarkets for their limited supply.

“The ONLY choice for tomatoes are $9.90, unless you want cherry tomatoes ... disgraceful ... no loose tomatoes in sight. How are the elderly and families meant to afford these?” wrote one customer on the Woolworths Facebook page.

Over on Coles’ page, a customer wrote: “If you’re going to charge $8.50 a kilo can you at least make sure they are ripe and don’t have black dots all over them they look inedible."

But the head of Queensland’s biggest vegetable growing group says prices should return to normal soon.

“The price of tomatoes should be going down in the next 10 days and if they don’t, the consumer is getting shafted,” president of the Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Carl Walker, told news.com.au.

Source: news.com.au