What’s driving skyrocketing fruit and vegetable prices

The price of fresh fruit and vegetables is skyrocketing, and Australians are being warned increases are expected to continue.

The price of broccoli has surged to $7.50 a kilo, red capsicums are about $15 a kilo, and for the green variety shoppers can expect to pay $11,50 a kilo. Lettuces are now up around $5 each — unusually high for this time of year.

CEO of Ritchies IGA, Fred Harrison, says the recent floods are the main driver behind the high prices.

“Basically there’s a shortage, the floods have taken out plenty of the crops,” he told Ross and Russel.

Australians can still nab a bargain on frozen fruit and vegetables — but not for long.

Mr Harrison says frozen food producers “will need to go to Coles, woolies and apply for price increases, that will take probably a three-month process”.

“Right here, right now, if you can buy frozen it is going to be better value than fresh, but it is going to go up in the next three months,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear current prices for popular fresh items