Avocado demand in the whole nation is strong. However, some cafes such as the Dudley Street Espresso in Annerley and a West End cafe have taken avo off their menu due to the high wholesale price in the past few weeks.
In recent weeks, avo prices have skyrocketed due to a drop in supply. The average price of avocados are normally somewhere between $40-60 per tray. Right now, suppliers are asking for at least $100 for 20 avocados. Coles and Woolworths are selling avocados at almost $4 per piece, a price that locals find high, particularly given the quality of currently available stock.
Some cafes use avo on most of their food offerings, which makes it difficult for them to take it off their menu. If this price hike continues, cafe owners will be forced to charge higher for food with avo on them, also quite difficult either way.
Avocado Australia quickly responded to the growing issue and said that most of the current supplies come from New Zealand. The harvests from NZ were light and finished early. The Christmas season as well as the nature of the avocado crops along with the summer peak have created a tight supply for it.
John Tyas, the CEO of Avocado Australia acknowledged the supply and demand problem this year but reassured the market that towards the end of February, the volume is expected normalise versus the demand.
He also said that demand for the fruit grows every year and it’s really a struggle at the start of every year to get them at reasonable prices.
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