Whole watermelons are currently selling for $34 each at Woolworths stores, and they aren't much cheaper at Coles, where a whole fruit is selling for $28. Why is this?
According to a Woolworths spokesperson, "We pay farmers the market price for their produce, which can vary throughout the year due to weather, seasonality, supply and demand. Currently, we're paying a lot more to our suppliers for watermelon due to the reduced supply in the market and ongoing bad weather in key growing regions. "Watermelon is not currently in peak season impacting the availability of the produce.”
"We operate in a highly competitive market and we're always working to strike the right balance so suppliers receive a fair market price and our customers have access to affordable fresh produce."
The peak watermelon growing season is between December and May, which is also the peak watermelon-eating season. Prices are expected to go down by then.
Source: 9news.com.au