Blueberry prices have dropped in supermarkets across Australia as seasonal supply levels peak to astronomical heights.
Earlier this year, blueberry prices skyrocketed to up to $20 a punnet in some parts of the country due to a gap in supply after the end of the berry season.
But small punnet prices have dropped below $2.50 in most capital cities this month.
Australians consume about 18,000 tonnes of blueberries each year.
In Western Australia, the price dive is driven by a booming supply of local berries.
Mountain Blue general manager for sales and marketing Joshua McGuiness said production of blueberries north of Perth was slowing down, while production in WA’s south was starting to ramp up.
“So what you’re seeing at the moment is a kind of a crossover between the two regions. One’s finishing off and one’s starting to ramp up,” he said.
“Hence we’re seeing some of the cheapest prices you’ve seen in the last 12 months over in WA for blueberries in general.
“This [price] will be fairly consistent for the next month.”
Australia’s blueberry season is in full swing in October. (ABC News: Clint Jasper)
Blueberries imported and exported between states
Not all blueberries on WA supermarket shelves are grown locally. Often berries are imported from the eastern states.
However, this year, Mr McGuinness said changes in biosecurity requirements to treat fruit flies had resulted in less fruit being imported into WA, which “has been good” for local farmers.
Executive director of Berries Australia Rachel Mackenzie said the low prices were not a concern for farmers because margins were based on prices for the entire year.
“What we need to look at is the average over the whole season to make sure growers are, in fact, able to make a profit,” she said.
“Our plea to consumers is to take advantage of this opportunity to get the best value blueberries that you can, perhaps consider scaling up to a premium brand.
“But also when prices increase, be understanding about that too.”
Rachel Mackenzie says the current low price of blueberries is not concerning. (ABC Rural: Kim Honan)
Berrysweet owner and farmer Anthony Yewers said when blueberry prices were as low as they were currently, it was important to chase the market and try to maintain a better price by sending some fruit interstate to fill supply gaps.
“They’ve had some bad weather in the east and they might be a little light in supply,” he said.
“So we’re preparing to send fruit to South Australia as early as [this] week.”
