Crikey readers reveal the $40-a-kilo bean. And what’s the go with cabbage?

Last week Crikey reported that green beans at Fruit Shack Geelong, Victoria, were selling for $19.99 a kilo. Turns out that was an absolute bargain.

The cost of vegetables is rising across Australia, what with the mixture of floods, war, the pandemic and an unusually cold winter. And although lettuce prices are getting most of the attention, that’s just the tip of the iceberg (sorry). 

Broccoli, zucchini, leeks, silverbeet — many of our favourite vegies have taken a hike. But based on insights from Crikey readers who have been sending pictures of the inflated price of veg, beans appear to be a high riser. 

Bernardi’s IGA Bathurst, NSW, is selling round beans for $39.99 a kilo. At Forestway Fresh in Belrose, NSW, premium round beans were going for a premium $34.99 — the same beans were down for $39.99 at Harris Farm Lindfield, NSW. And at the Camberwell Fresh Food Market, Victoria, green beans are selling for a hefty $35.99 — and the cashier told Barrie O’Shea that customers are buying single serves of four to five beans at a time to keep daily costs down. 

On the problem of difficult supermarket choices, one thing that has come up for Crikey readers is supermarkets’ multi-buy deals, wherein shoppers can save money on certain items if they buy in bulk. 

Yvonne Parker told Crikey she finds this kind of marketing particularly vexing during a period of inflation when shoppers are juggling difficult choices.

“Pensioners buying two chops, or 500 grams of mince, want cheaper prices. They can’t afford two packs for $14,” she said. 

Indeed back in 2016, Sainsbury supermarket chain in the UK phased out multi-buy deals in favour of overall lower and more transparent prices. The move was made because of mounting evidence that shoppers find them confusing and misleading, and it leads to food waste — not a great thing during inflation. 

Lettuce the tip of the iceberg for fast food chains

Last month KFC announced it would replace lettuce with a lettuce/cabbage blend in its burgers and wraps (Oporto and Subway followed suit), but now they could face a new dilemma: rising cabbage prices.

Wholesale cabbage prices have doubled in the past few weeks, going from $4.50 a head to $9 a head. National Farmers’ Federation economist Ash Salardini told news.com.au it was probably the new demand for cabbage, as well as local growing factors, that pushed the price up. 

What are prices like where you are? Send in your photos of rising vegetable prices at boss@crikey.com.au