Customers at Coles and Woolworths around Australia have expressed worry over the high price of mandarins. The price of the beloved fruit, which was once regarded as one of the cheapest in stores, has risen dramatically in recent weeks.

What does the consumer have to say? 

One Coles consumer posted a photo of a mandarin display at a Victorian shop, where they were priced at $10.88 a kilo. Meanwhile, Woolworths has the fruit listed on its website for an eye-watering $2.24 per piece. It’s cheaper to buy a full chicken and feed a family, commented a Facebook user. One more said: “$10.88 per kilogram? Where did they come from? That appears to be outrageous! And the list goes on.

What does the supermarket have to say? 

Both Coles and Woolworths are importing mandarins from overseas because they are out of season in Australia. Coles Supermarkets has an Australian-first sourcing policy, which reflects the company’s dedication to strong, multi-generational, and collaborative partnerships with Australian farmers and producers. When a fresh product is not available in Australia, we attempt to source it from overseas.  Our Australian First Fresh Sourcing Policy means that we will always choose fresh homegrown fruit and vegetables from Australian farmers whenever feasible. Because the Australian mandarin season has yet to begin, we are now procuring mandarins from America to ensure that they are available for our customers. In Australia, the peak growing season for mandarins begins in April and the cost of mandarins varies by state.