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Customer raging over the price of Woolies, Coles watermelons

The price for a typical watermelon at Woolworths and Coles is more than $30, with one customer taking aim at the former for their prices.

Woolworths releases kids range

One desperate mother has lashed out at Woolworths over the cost of their watermelons.

The mother took to the supermarket’s Facebook page this week to express her disappointment over the cost of a quarter watermelon for $8.58 and a whole one for $34.32.

“Seriously? This is disgusting,” the woman began her post.

“The one fruit my kids eat and it’s nearly $10 for a quarter. I love Woolworths but this is making me shop elsewhere from now on.”

A woman has slammed Woolworths watermelon prices. Picture: Facebook
A woman has slammed Woolworths watermelon prices. Picture: Facebook
Coles are similarly priced. Picture: Coles
Coles are similarly priced. Picture: Coles

The prices at another of Australia’s biggest supermarkets – Coles – aren’t much kinder on the budget with a quarter setting customers back $7.76 and a whole watermelon retailing for $31.20.

Prices for the whole watermelons are calculated based on a price per kilogram, with news.com.au understanding Woolworths uses $3.90 per kilogram for a 9kg watermelon.

The season for watermelons has just begun, running through until May.

A Woolworths spokesperson told news.com.au: “We pay farmers the market price for their produce, which can be affected by weather and seasonality.

Woolworths expects a price shift soon. Picture: David Swift/NCA NewsWire
Woolworths expects a price shift soon. Picture: David Swift/NCA NewsWire
Coles is also selling watermelons for a huge price. Picture: Shae Beplate.
Coles is also selling watermelons for a huge price. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“The start of the watermelon season has been affected by wet growing conditions, resulting in reduced availability.

“However, our farmers have told us that they’ve got a great crop on the way just in time for summer, so our customers can expect to see an improvement in the coming weeks.

“We’re committed to delivering quality Australian fruit and vegetables to our customers at great value, and when in-season produce is in high supply we work hard to pass those savings on to our customers.

“Currently, customers can enjoy great value on an Aussie summer staple, with top quality mangoes in abundance across our stores nationwide.”

News.com.au has contacted Coles for comment.

Originally published as Customer raging over the price of Woolies, Coles watermelons

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/food/customer-raging-over-the-price-of-woolies-coles-watermelons/news-story/5e37b3c6b9789185a76072df39f9783f