Rising costs of fuel and fertiliser are set to affect fresh food aisles, but brassicas and root vegetables still offer good value in April, according to grocers.
“It’s a good time for brassicas,” says Graham Gee, senior buyer at the Happy Apple in Melbourne, pointing to cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale and leeks. He notes that a whole cauliflower can go a long way to feed many people.
Price increases may not yet be fully visible, but grocers expect gradual rises. Cauliflower ranges from $3.50 to $5.50 per head depending on retailer. Corn is abundant at around $1 per ear, while potatoes have become cheaper due to cooler weather, selling for $3 to $4 per kilo.
Carrots are good value at 99c to $2.99 per kilo, and sweet potatoes are also reasonably priced. For fruit, new season apples such as Gala and Granny Smith are the best value in April, with pears also reasonably priced. Red kiwis from New Zealand have just become available but are expensive at $15 per kilo.
