Fruit alternatives to pick as cost of watermelons hit $30

Ash Cant
Oct 01, 2023, updated Oct 01, 2023

Fruit can be more affordable when it’s in season or when the weather doesn't ruin crops. Photo: Getty

Right now, the price of watermelons is soaring beyond $30, but there are a few tips to save the summer salad.

The sky-high price of watermelons is due to unusual weather patterns in the Northern Territory.

The growing season is about to end in the Top End, but Queensland growers are yet to start theirs, Matt Palise from Red Rich Fruits told Today on Tuesday.

So at least for the next few weeks, Australians should expect to pay a little more for watermelons while they are in short supply.

However, Palise promised that prices should go back down in coming weeks.

The news of $30 whole watermelons comes after Australians were warned that mango stock might not be as abundant this summer, with weather affecting flowering.

Whole watermelons are being sold for more than $30.

Limited stock then obviously leads to higher prices, however, Australian Mangoes CEO Brett Kelly promised there would be plenty to go around when the festive season nears.

Extreme weather events like floods, fires and droughts can have devastating impacts on produce.

In the past few years we have seen extreme weather wipe out crops and, in turn, disrupt supply chains and leave shelves bare.

It’s not hard to imagine how disruptive climate change will be for Australian produce, farmers and consumers.

However, it’s not just devastating weather conditions that impact supply.

The issue with the mangoes was simply because Queensland had a warmer-than-usual winter.

How climate change could drastically affect Australia’s food supply chains

Fruit to pick instead of watermelon

Although some things are beyond our control, it’s always worth knowing what produce is in season, especially if you’re wanting to get your grocery bill down.

Watermelons are a go-to favourite; it might be best to hold off buying them, just for a little while until Queensland’s stock makes its way to shelves.

Prabin, a worker at The Fruit Village in Sydney’s inner west told The New Daily there are still plenty of fruit Australians could consider, if they want the best value.

He said most weekly basics like apples and bananas are generally always pretty good to pick up and soon, other fruits will be coming into season.

“Like mandarins, especially when in season, they get cheaper,” he said.

“Normally, the price depends on the seasons and when specific fruits are in season and [suppliers] get produce in large volumes.”

Palise said on Today that blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are all good value at the moment and all are in season during the summer.

Luckily, Seasonal Food Guide Australia has a handy list which highlights when fruits and vegetables come into season.