Fruit and vegetables denting people's hip pocket after tough months of weather

Staple produce like broccoli has risen to $8.90 a kilo in Wagga's Woolworths stores, tomatoes are selling for up to $9.90 a kilo, and grean beans stand at $10 a kilo. 

Signs in the fruit and vegetable section of Wagga Woolworths indicate that broccoli, cauliflower, snow peas, beans and tomato supplies are all low due to severe weather conditions, and have suggested they are hoping to see an increase in 2-3 weeks. 

Herbs have been labelled as 'in short supply' due to the heat specifically, with notice of limited supply for strawberries and celery as well. 

Farmers' markets are an alternative option that manager of Verduci Produce, Frank Verduci, said provide the same fresh fruit and vegetables at a much lower cost. 

"Farmers markets are much cheaper, almost half the price of supermarkets actually, so people really don’t need to be paying the full price supermarkets are charging," he said.

"However, the costs are reflective of the drought and floods in different areas, but producers like us have a local market to keep us going."

Mr Verduci said their crops have taken some damage, but the impact will not be long-lasting. 

"Some [crops] have suffered but some have been good, and we're still in the middle of planting 100,000 seedlings for the winter crop coming up," he said.

The local producer said people can grow their own but it isn't a quick fix to rising costs.

"Some [fruit and vegetables] take 3-6 months to bear fruit so it’s not really feasible for home growers to get their own garden going at short notice, but it definitely is an option in the long run," Mr Verduci said.

Bidgee Strawberries and Cream owner Michael Cashen said their business also suffered from the heat, but is back on its feet now.

"We actually had to close for about six weeks and lost a lot of our crop production from the January heat wave, and we had to turn all the damaged fruit into ice cream," he said.

"Our fruit is back in full production now though after a big weekend last week - we've got as much produce as we had in spring so it's all back on track."

Mr Verduci added the public shouldn't have to deal with the price rise for too much longer.

"The next crops will come in about six or so weeks which should drop prices in supermarkets," he said. 

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