‘Disgraceful’: Grocery prices at petrol station show Australia has lost it

Australians have labelled the price of every day grocery items in one place “disgraceful” and “greedy”.

An Australian service station has been accused of being a “dirty rip off” after the insane prices they were charging for every day food items were revealed.

Price tags on the shelf reveal it would cost a whopping $22 to purchase a carton of juice. The same brand retails for just $5.50 at major supermarkets.

Meanwhile, a packet of salt and vinegar chips is being sold for $10 – double the price at other the big supermarkets.

A box of cheddar flavoured Shapes retails for $9 – more than twice the amount at Australia’s big supermarkets — with Coles currently offering the biscuits at a discounted price of just $2.

The prices were unveiled on a local Facebook group and people were left shocked.

The social media post revealing the shocking cost of the juice. Picture: Facebook

A packet of shapes was priced at $9. Picture: Facebook

“This is foul. $22,” wrote one person.

“Absolutely disgraceful. Hope they see this n (sic) rectify their disgusting prices. Greedy pricks,” another said.

“Daylight robbery, you would have to be desperate,” someone commented.

“That is outrageous. Greedy,” another agreed.

But a local said it was common for the rural Western Australian town.

“Be aware, only set to climb higher and higher,” they noted.

The items were being sold at a BP truck stop located in remote Western Australian town of Norseman, which is located in the Goldfields-Esperance region of the state.

BP has been contacted for comment on the prices.

Grocery prices ‘surge’

In January, Australian households were told to brace for higher grocery prices that will add on average $1000 to the yearly bill.

The average household will spend $213.64 a week compared with $191.66 in 2024, according to Compare the Market research, adding a further strain on Aussies’ back pockets.

This means households are paying about 11 per cent more in one year.

A bag of Smiths chips were also being sold for $10 at the BP. Picture: Facebook

The groceries were being sold at BP Norseman. Picture: Google Maps

Compare the Market’s Sarah Orr said even small increases were adding up for families struggling to balance their household budgets.

“It doesn’t matter what aisle you’re walking down – price hikes are coming from almost every direction at the supermarket,” Ms Orr said.

“The cost of everyday items like coffee and chocolate have surged due to supply issues, making it hard for Aussies to avoid the sting.”

In Western Australia, the weekly spend on groceries has jumped about $36 year-on-year, its research showed.

Remote areas feeling the hit the most

Meanwhile, mystery shopping from consumer advocacy group Choice found remote First Nations communities across Western Australia and the Northern Territory are paying more than double for grocery items compared to major cities.

A list of nine “essential” items cost a staggering $99.38 across four First Nations communities in WA’s Great Sandy Desert and the Pilbara and the NT’s West Daly region and Tiwi Islands.

The price jumped up even further in the West Daly region, with the same items costing $110.82.

This is compared to just $44.70 in Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and IGA in all capital cities.

Bush Money Mob managing director of financial counselling Alan Gray told Choice investigative journalist Jarni Blakkarly that remote Aboriginal communities aren’t afforded the same services “mainstream Australians take for granted”.

“Once you get away from the bitumen, people living in remote Aboriginal communities get very few services that mainstream Australians take for granted,” Mr Gray said.

“Food and the options of healthy, affordable food is one of them.”

Mob Strong Debt Help financial counsellor and Boandik woman Bettina Cooper said those in remote communities simply have no options.

“When we’re travelling to remote communities there’s often only one choice of a local store. So whatever price is there is the price you pay,” Ms Cooper said.

In February, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Anthony promised to lock the expensive essential goods in remote food stores to city prices.

This would include 30 essential products in more than 76 remote stores.

“We are also tackling issues of access to affordable food in remote communities,” Mr Albanese said.

“Food insecurity can have serious health impacts, including cardiovascular and kidney disease.”

Originally published as ‘Disgraceful’: Grocery prices at petrol station show Australia has lost it