Woolworths reveals new products, more Christmas bargains
Woolworths has dropped the price on some Christmas favourites and unveiled a new line of products as Aussies race to get their festive spreads sorted.
Woolworths has unveiled a new range of products just one week out from Christmas as Australians race to get their festive spreads sorted.
Sixteen new products — 15 of which are Australian made — feature in the latest line which is exclusive to the supermarket giant.
They will be available at Woolworths stores from December 18.
Among the new products is an Australian-made Christmas croquembouche — a tower of chocolate-coated profiteroles and buttercream that’s sprinkled with pistachios and raspberry-flavoured crisps that will cost shoppers $30.
Classics with a twist also feature, including a pork rack roast with native Australian Davidson plum and apple stuffing ($25/kg), free range boneless turkey breast with spiced pink lady apple and pistachio stuffing ($25/kg), and a turducken with fig and pistachio stuffing ($25/kg).
Woolworths Director of Buying, Paul Harker, said the new products were simple to cook and serve up.
“From savoury meat centrepieces to a jaw dropping tower of white choc profiteroles, we’ve done the time consuming prep for customers so they can spend less time in the kitchen and more time sharing delicious food with loved ones,” Mr Harker said.
“We’re encouraging customers to be quick as we know these Christmas-infused products will be flying off the shelves across the busiest days of shopping in our stores for the year.”
Woolworths has also dropped the price on a number of other items in the run-up to Christmas.
RSPCA fresh whole turkey is now $7.80/kg, while the supermarket’s roasted hazelnuts and chocolate pudding has fallen from $10 to $8.50.
Australian pork shoulder boneless roast is $7/kg down from $9/kg, and customers can buy locally-made pork leg boneless roast for $8.50/kg (previously $10/kg).
Australian beef blade roast is now $12/kg (was $13.50/kg) and shoppers can save $4/kg on Tasmanian Atlantic salmon fillets (skinned and boned) which is now $29/kg.
Recent Woolworths research found Australians were looking to support Australian-made products and local farmers this year.
More than 94 per cent of 1033 Australians surveyed nationally said it was “just as or more important than ever” to support local Australian farmers and produce
A vast majority also said they would place importance on whether a product is locally made when purchasing food items for Christmas.
COLES ANNOUNCES MORE DEALS, LIMITS IMPOSED ON BARGAIN LOBSTER
On Wednesday, supermarket rival Coles slashed prices on baked goods and imposed buying limits on lobster along with Woolworths.
Coles spokeswoman Martine Alpins said customers can currently save up to 35 per cent on a range of desserts including puddings and panettones until Christmas.
Ms Alpins said the supermarket giant dropped he price on its chocolate and hazelnut mousse dessert — once labelled an “enormous Ferrero Rocher” — from $28 to $20; the same with its hazelnut and passionfruit white chocolate mousse treat.
She added Coles’ spiced rum pudding would from then cost $9.50, while the “luxury” variant would be priced at $9.90, and jewelled fruit cake at $9.90 - all down from $12.
Customers would also have the chance to save $10 off the supermarket’s crackling ham roast.
Coles has also followed Woolworths’ lead in imposing a purchase limit on its half-price rock lobsters after the luxurious seafood began flying off shelves.
A limit of four lobsters per customer per transaction has now come into effect at Woolworths supermarkets nationally while Coles will bring in the same limit on Wednesday.
A Coles spokesman said it was great to see so many customers wanting to support the local seafood industry.
“Coles has an Australian first sourcing policy and we are proud to source seafood from across the country, particularly at a time when our suppliers are restricted in their ability to export their seafood,” they said.
“More lobsters will be arriving in our stores throughout the week and up until Christmas.
Within the first four days of selling the $20 WA rock lobsters, Woolworths sold more than twice the amount of lobsters sold during all of last year's Christmas season.
A Woolworths spokesman said the limit was placed on the item to ensure as many customers as possible could enjoy the seafood in the lead up to Christmas.
“Since introducing our WA Rock Lobsters across Australia last week, we‘ve seen incredible customer demand,” they said.
“We have good stock levels to draw on and our teams are working hard to continue replenishing lobsters as quickly as possible. Customers can expect to see increased lobster availability in the days ahead.”
Signs have been erected at some Woolworths stores, apologising for any inconvenience.
HOW MUCH CHRISTMAS DINNER WILL COST YOU
’Tis the season to rejoice and celebrate all things Australian after a year like none other.
Despite being plagued first by drought, then bushfire and a global pandemic, Australian farmers have weathered many a storm to bring consumers all the traditional goodies we’ve come to expect at Christmas.
From glistening baked hams and bowls of gleaming cherries, to freshly caught prawns and bubbling glasses of sparkling wine, one of the best parts of celebrating the festive season is enjoying a bountiful spread.
But how has the COVID-19, the recovery from drought and bushfire and, more recently, unfurling political tensions with key trading partner China, affected the availability and cost of our Christmas fare?
Well, the good news is, in a classic show of Australian resilience, many of the traditional items we snap up at the supermarket in December each year will be ready and available for customers, with some items potentially cheaper at the checkout.
The Weekly Times has investigated key Christmas staples to see just how the events of 2020 have affected Australian farmers’ ability to deliver.
PORK
What’s a Christmas lunch without a bronzed leg of baked ham taking pride of place on the dinner table?
The good news is it’s never been easier to support Australian farmers when doing your Christmas shopping.
There’s a common idiom among those in the pork industry: “If it’s on the bone, it’s one of our own”.
It’s a simple way of knowing if the ham you’re buying for those languid Boxing Day sandwiches is supporting Australian farmers after a volatile year.
Australian Pork chief executive Margo Andrae said 2020 has been “an interesting year” for the pork industry, but overall the industry managed dodged the COVID-19 bullet.
“Closures and restrictions of food service outlets saw a significant change from people not eating out, but also a change in people’s eating habits,” Ms Andrae said.
Ms Andrae said Australians usually consumed about 10kg of pork per person each year.
But that has increased this year to 10.4kg per person, with an anticipated 30 per cent further lift in consumption forecast for the coming months.
“At the moment, demand is definitely up,” Ms Andrea said.
And despite abattoir and meat processor restrictions during lockdowns, supply of both fresh pork and ham should remain steady during the festive season.
“It’s been a tough year, but the industry as a whole made some specific decisions early in COVID-19 with the aim of positioning pork even stronger,” Ms Andrea said.
“Supply is OK, and it’s a great opportunity for people to support their local butchers, and you can also get your beautiful boned ham at major retailers.”
At McIvor Farm Foods in Tooborac, Victoria, a premium Christmas ham can be had for about $42 a kilogram, which is roughly on par with last year’s prices. This is because, co-owner Belinda Hagan explains, the costs of production remain largely unchanged this year and the laws of supply and demand are less of a factor at the moment.
That price equates to $120-$170 for a half leg about 3kg-4kg, and $250-$300 for a full leg (6kg-8kg).
VERDICT
Price always jumps at Christmas, but that’s not due to any shortages. Buy a ham on the bone if you want an Australian product.
CHEESE
Camembert, brie, even a wedge of Stilton.
A flavourful fragment of fromage is a common addition to the Christmas table and the 2020 festive season is no exception.
But like most things in 2020, the dairy market was shaken up by coronavirus restrictions and related geopolitical events.
There’s often a spike in consumption of French cheese around December 25, with Australians opting for something different for family banquets and yuletide get-togethers.
A political stand-off between France and Turkey (as well as its allies in the Middle East) may mean that wheel of camembert or brie is a tad cheaper in 2020 compared to previous years.
Protesters in predominantly Muslim nations have made calls to boycott French products in a clash over depictions of the Prophet Mohammed.
The trade freeze has resulted in a stockpile of French cheese — and with an oversupply of fromage, prices are already tumbling.
For instance, Roquefort cheese sold last year in the $35-$40 a kilogram range (about $7 for an average 150 gram wedge).
This Christmas, with the UK-Eurozone relationship hanging in the balance, the French blue variety is selling in the $30-$35 per kilo range.
That will set you back a lazy $5 for an average 150-gram wedge.
VERDICT
For Australians this Christmas, international trade tensions could result in cheaper cheese at the checkout. Bon appetit!
TURKEY
A golden roast turkey usually takes pride of place on many tables across the country at Christmas. But when the coronavirus pandemic first hit back in March this year, Deutscher’s Turkey Farm owner Daryl Deutscher wondered what effect lockdowns would have on turkey supply, come Christmas time.
“Are you going to be in lockdown all year? Are we going to be sitting with our year’s profit sitting in the freezer?” Mr Deutscher said.
But trade levels remained stable throughout the year, and producers such as Mr Deutscher were able to supply turkeys into their regular markets all year.
Now, as the silly season hits, butchers and meat suppliers are readying themselves to receive their annual turkey orders.
“I found most of my customers were more organised this year, and more positive and had their orders in early,” Mr Deutscher said.
“Most people bought the same amount as they did last year … there’s adequate stock on hand to be able to supply people, and we haven’t put our prices up.”
VERDICT
Turkey will be readily available for customers this Christmas, at similar prices to last year. An average-sized (5kg) Christmas bird can be had from a supermarket for about $35, or $7 a kilogram, this year but a premium-free-range niche bird will more likely fetch $70-$100, or $14-$20 a kilogram.
BEEF AND LAMB
Australian cattle are currently the most expensive in the world, due to the global coronavirus pandemic, coupled with farmers here rebuilding depleted herds after years of devastating drought.
Those factors combined have seen Australian young cattle prices continuously smash records throughout 2020.
But the good news for consumers hitting up the supermarket in coming weeks, according to Thomas Elders Markets analyst Matt Dalgleish, is while cattle and lamb prices remain high at saleyards, that price lift has not been passed on to consumers yet.
“Some of the price rises have been absorbed by other efficiency gains in the supply chain,” Mr Dalgleish said.
Lamb in particular, while it is a more expensive meat, hasn’t risen in price at the supermarket as much as it has at the saleyards, Mr Dalgleish said.
“From a retail side, beef and lamb prices won’t see much change.”
VERDICT
The good news for shoppers is Australian red meat managed to avoid any dramatic price hikes at the supermarket during 2020.
NUTS
When it comes to nuts in 2020, it’s been a real mixed bag.
But the cost of almonds this Christmas should remain stable for customers looking for a moreish snack in between courses on December 25.
One of Australia’s largest nut and health food companies, Select Harvests, reported a 12.8 per cent fall in almond prices, to $7.50 a kilogram for the farmer.
But with a record crop of 23,250 tonnes and relatively stable irrigation water costs, the almond industry in Australia has nursed its way through a tumultuous year.
But any price cuts to almonds rely on the US selling its 2020 almond crop.
With the US accounting for about 80 per cent of global production and a large crop in 2020, almond prices theoretically should be cheaper for Aussies at the checkout.
VERDICT
Grabbing a bag of nuts this Christmas shouldn’t break the bank this year.
SEAFOOD
There’s something uniquely special about celebrating Christmas Down Under. Those long, warm nights and brilliant sunny days make for a Christmas spent out of the house and under the gum trees. And one of the best parts of Christmas is enjoying fresh Australian seafood.
But increasing political tensions between Australia and China has resulted in a trading halt on a number of agricultural items, including rock lobster.
Angel Seafood managing director Zac Halman said the recent trade retaliation could see a flush of lobster available for Australians, as stock destined for China remains in the country.
Mr Halman, who is the managing director for the southern Australian Pacific oyster producer, said from 90 to 95 per cent of all Australian rock lobster was exported to China.
“Demand for that premium product is high there, and it’s perceived as a very high quality product,” he said.
But Mr Halman said while the trade situation was not ideal, Australian consumers could be the winner this Christmas with the potential for cheaper lobster this summer.
“Having tensions there, Australia has manned up and supported ourselves, and there’s been a huge uplift in the market. Not just oysters but an uplift in fish and all sorts of seafood,” Mr Halman said.
“This year has been a real catch 22, we’ve found great support for Australian produce, especially this season,” Mr Halman said.
VERDICT
Items such as rock lobster, which is traditionally more expensive for Australian customers, are already lot cheaper this summer, compared to last, as China hits Australia with trade suspensions.
At The Fishmonger’s Son in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Carlton North, fishmonger Anthony Yotis has been selling southern rock lobster for $80 a kilogram, which is about half the $140-$160 it was fetching last year.
CHERRIES
Australians are blessed with summer fruit come Christmas time, and it’s led to a tradition among many families for a bowl of cherries to take pride of place on the dining table alongside the Yuletide staples of ham and fruit pudding.
Fortunately the season has been kind to Australian cherry growers who are currently in the throes of a plentiful harvest, and shoppers can expect to pay what they did last year of between $13/kg and $20/kg.
For one of the nation’s biggest cherry producers, Koala Cherries, the season began early and is expected to peak later this month.
Koala Cherries chief executive and Victorian Cherry Growers vice president Michael Rouget said most growers would be picking a crop that was average in size and retail prices were likely to stay that way too – about $15/kg – until the week before Christmas when demand traditionally picks up and some growers’ fruit begins to taper off.
“It’s all about supply and demand,” he said.
While consumers can enjoy high quality fruit for the same price as they paid last year, Mr Rouget said growers would be taking a pay cut this year.
“We’re paying a lot more for staff to manage the compliance side of COVID, but we haven’t pushed prices up.
“We’re generally price takers and that’s just the reality of fresh produce,” he said.
VERDICT
Customers will enjoy cherries at an affordable price, but farmers will suffer financially from labour shortages across the country due to coronavirus.
WINE
With restrictions finally easing across Australia, those with a penchant for a stiff drink will no doubt reach for a glass or two this Christmas to toast away a year many hope will never be repeated.
And while China may have slapped trade tariffs of up to 200 per cent on Australian wine last month in a diplomatic stoush that will punish producers, Australian drinkers are likely to be treated with more stock of the nation’s best tipples on the shelves.
Australian Grape and Wine chief executive Tony Battaglene said stock levels would be high, but prices would remain unchanged this Christmas aside from the usual bulk specials retailers roll out in the run up to Easter, the Spring Racing Carnival, and Christmas and New Year.
“My view is there probably won’t be any negative impact on price, that would be in the longer term if that excess stock piles up,” Mr Battaglene said.
He said wine prices didn’t fluctuate with the seasons, even when annual vintages were as low as this year’s, which was down 12 per cent, with a national winegrape crush of 1.52 million tonnes.
The bulk of Australia’s sparkling wine sales are in the last three months of the year.
Although the imported Champagne has a certain mystique, more and more Australians prefer the quality and consistency of our local sparkling wine.
VERDICT
No negative impact on pricing, despite a 12 per cent drop in annual vintages thanks to a smaller winegrape crush in 2020.
LEMONS
Whether it’s squeezed over a piece of fish or sliced and dunked in a glass of gin and tonic, lemons are a Christmas staple.
But the effects of a chronic shortage of workers to pick fruits and vegetables will hit hip pockets this season, as lemons reach a staggering $2.50 each, up on the usual December peak price of $2.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences has predicted prices of summer vegetables, stone fruit, pome fruit, such as apples and pears, and table grapes could rise by 15-25 per cent after the nation’s supply of overseas labour plummeted.
VERDICT
Lemons will be more expensive this season due to labour shortages.
– Additional reporting by Alexandra Laskie, Alex Sinnott and Lachlan Hastings
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