Small punnets sell for as low as A$2.50 in some Australian supermarkets as seasonal supply peaks
Western Australia’s blueberry season has reached peak supply, causing prices to drop to A$2.50 in some supermarkets, according to reporting from ABC News.
The price marks a dramatic drop from the A$20 punnets seen in June this year.
Mountain Blue general manager for sales and marketing, Joshua McGuiness, told the publication blueberry production north of Perth was slowing down for the season while production in Western Australia’s southern regions was increasing.
“So, what you’re seeing at the moment is a kind of a crossover between the two regions. One’s finishing off and one’s starting to ramp up,” he said.
“Hence we’re seeing some of the cheapest prices you’ve seen in the last 12 months over in Western Australia for blueberries in general.”
McGuiness said the prices would likely remain consistent for a month.
According to executive director of industry body Berries Australia, Rachel Mackenzie, the price dip is not a cause for alarm given margins for growers are based on the season’s average.
“What we need to look at is the average over the whole season to make sure growers are, in fact, able to make a profit,” she told ABC News.
“Our plea to consumers is to take advantage of this opportunity to get the best value blueberries that you can, perhaps consider scaling up to a premium brand. But also when prices increase, be understanding about that too.”
The owner of Bullsbrook-based Berry Sweet, Anthony Yewers, told ABC News he would send some fruit interstate to maintain better prices.
“They’ve had some bad weather in the east, and they might be a little light in supply,” he said.
“So, we’re preparing to send fruit to South Australia as early as [this] week.”
