RARELY has the humble lettuce absorbed as much media attention in Australia than it has over the past month.
The rising cost of lettuce made headlines throughout Australia as it soared to $10 and $12 per head in parts of the country.
The attention was further fuelled when fast food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) announced it would be blending lettuce and cabbage in products in stores throughout NSW, Victoria, Queensland, the ACT and Tasmania due to shortages.
A statement from the company said the recent floods in NSW and Queensland had caused the shortage.
"We've hit a bit of an iceberg and are currently experiencing some lettuce supply chain disruptions due to the impacts of the recent Queensland and NSW floods," KFC said.
It wasn't the only major retailer to give its customers a "heads up" about the looming shortage.
In an e-mail to customers, Coles fresh produce general manager Craig Taylor said in addition to the floods, the ongoing heavy rainfall, recent cold weather and lower levels of sunlight have meant many growers were experiencing impacts to the supply of berries, lettuce, beans, tomatoes, broccoli and herbs.
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"We are working closely with our growers to help them recover as quickly as possible and we are pleased to let you know that you can expect to see improved stocks of many fresh produce lines in coming weeks," Mr Taylor said.
"Some vegetables including broccoli, broccolini and lettuce will take a bit longer to recover after key growing regions were hit with heavy rains but supplies are expected to begin improving over the next month before returning to full supply."
In a similar communication, Woolworths fruit and vegetables general manager Paul Turner also pointed to consistent rainfall and low sunlight as hinderances.
"The recent flooding pushed back the planting of cos and iceberg lettuce,causing a delay to regular growing conditions," Mr Turner said.
"You may notice short supply and an impact on price in the short term until normal stock levels return in around four weeks, depending on weather conditions."
Independents not immune
INDEPENDENT greengrocers have also had to pass on the price increase.
Wondonga fruit and vegetable retailer Arnold's Fruit Market general manager Ben Arnold some prices were entering new territory.
"At the moment, we're seeing a lettuce shortage, but we're also seeing tomatoes extremely expensive, strawberries are at astronomical prices and zucchinis. It's a multitude of different lines," Mr Arnold said.
"Our market works on supply and demand, but I've never seen so many lines have the issue. There's always something, but I've never seen 15 different things affected.
"Reasons can range from weather, which is the obvious one, but also at the moment its staff shortages. So many business owners you talk to just can't find staff."
Evor Fresh owner Mithun Pathakamuri said some customers have turned away from his Lavington store due to the prices.
"We're selling iceberg lettuce for $9 each when they're used to paying $3 and they're not happy with a replacement like cos," he said.
Mr Pathakamuri said the price of household staples such as potatoes, onions and tomatoes had also soared.
Wilsons Fruit and Vegetables general manager business development Mel Fulcher, Ballarat, said the Queensland floods, transport and fertiliser costs, and supply and demand had created a perfect storm.
I daresay the Colonel doesn't want to pay the $10-$12 a lettuce would be the point.
- Bill Bulmer, chair, Ausveg
"The message we are trying to ask people is please continue to support your local greengrocer and keep supporting those who are supporting local farmers and Australian farmers," Ms Fulcher said.
Ausveg chair Bill Bulmer, himself a lettuce grower, said in a Melbourne radio interview that Queensland flooding was the main cause for the price hike.
"There are pockets of lettuces here and there across Australia but the bulk comes out of the Gatton region at this time of year," Mr Bulmer said.
When asked if he thought KFC's use of a cabbage/lettuce blend was a sourcing or financial issue, he suggested price was the deterrent.
"I daresay the Colonel doesn't want to pay the $10-$12 a lettuce would be the point," Mr Bulmer said.
During his address at the Hort Connections 2022 Gala Dinner, Mr Bulmer also politics was involved.
"In the last two days I've had so many radio stations say, why is the price of lettuce $10? Really, it's not the weather's fault; it's Scomo's and Albo's," he said.
"They started it off by tossing it around when it went to $6; now it's $10."
He also indicated supplies of capsicums and spinach would be "up and down for the next three months", with an onion shortage in spring.
Australian Fresh Produce Alliance chief executive officer Michael Rogers said the escalating cost of transport and shipping, labour, energy and inputs were driving up farmers' costs and the retail prices of fruit and vegetables.
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