Australians rage over ‘expensive’ price of essential item in Coles

A grocery staple has increased dramatically, but the move has angered customers, with many blasting the “ridiculous” new supermarket prices.

Aussies rage over ‘expensive’ Coles item. Picture: TikTok

Australians are lashing out after the price of popular grocery item was dramatically hiked in Coles supermarkets.

Coles and Woolworths recently confirmed strawberries have been impacted by a supply issue, resulting in prices being “higher than usual”.

The steep increase is mostly visible in the “premium” variety, with Coles selling a 350g punnet for $10.90.

Meanwhile Woolies is selling the same size of premium strawberries for $6.50.

As a result, customers have been left outraged at Coles, with one customer taking to social media to express their fury.

“I was going to buy some berries for breakfast tomorrow, but f**k, they’re $10.90,” a customer said in a video shared on TikTok.

“That’s like a dollar a strawberry.”

Aussies are furious over the price of premium strawberries at Coles item. Picture: TikTok

It wasn’t the only berry item the shopper thought was now unaffordable, with the video also highlighting the current price of other popular fruits.

“Blueberries are $6.70 and it’s five dollars for a box of raspberries that are on special,” she said. “Jesus Christ Coles.”

Strawberries are grown continuously throughout the year in Australia, with crops generally coming from farms in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, southern Western Australia and the Granite Belt in southeast Queensland during summer.

In winter, the majority is harvested on the Sunshine Coast and Perth. However, the current season has been affected by rising cost of living pressures and “adverse weather conditions”, supermarkets have claimed.

A frustrated shopper also claimed blueberries and raspberries were too ‘expensive’ to buy. Picture: TikTok

Many agreed, arguing fruit is an essential item. Picture: TikTok

However, the explanation has done little to quell the disappointment from shoppers as yet another basic product is now costing Aussies more at the tills.

“Fruit shouldn’t be expensive,” one lamented. “That price is ridiculous even out of season usually it’s $5.90 the most. Rip off,” another raged.

As one fumed: “It’s a joke!”

Coles said “prices are higher than usual” due to unforeseen circumstances, but assured customers to hang tight as prices are set to drop later in the year.

“We know our customers love strawberries but right now is not the season for them as we are in between seasons in two different growing regions,” a spokesperson told news.com.au previously.

“Every year we go through a seasonal change, which means prices are higher than usual at the moment.

“The premium strawberries are very early in their season and currently volumes are very small.

“The price of this premium variety is higher right now as the pickers need to search more plants to find the right quality as the weather is limiting the ripeness of this fruit.”

Woolworths is currently selling its 350g punnet of premium strawberries for $6.50, but reiterated crops had been badly affected by poor weather.

“Due to adverse weather conditions in our growing regions, particularly with some cold and wet days, the supply of strawberries has been impacted,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.

“We are working with our growers to improve supply and expect supply to recover in June.”

Coles explained recently the price hike was due to ‘adverse’ conditions. Picture: news.com.au

The 350g punnet of strawberries costs $10.90 at Coles – but is priced at $6.50 in Woolworths. Picture: news.com.au

Coles also reassured customers prices would improve once “strawberry season is in full swing”.

Countless grocery prices have skyrocketed in the last few months as the cost of living crisis continues to cripple Australians.

Everything from milk, eggs and even our much-loved chips now cost considerably more than they did just a few months ago.

Not even the iconic supermarket mud cake has escaped unscathed, reaching a record-high of $6.40 in Coles.

The move was labelled a “national tragedy” by one, which other social media users were quick to agree with.