The fact that the cost of food in Australia has risen this year is not news to most people.
Key points:
- Deakin University research shows lettuce, broccoli and tomato prices have skyrocketed
- Amid other pressures for the cost of living, more people are seeking help with food expenses
- They are calling for a national strategy to ensure that Australians have access to healthy food
But tracking data from 28 specific grocery items over the past few years shows which product prices have risen the most, which have fallen and which have remained stable.
Figures from the Institute for Health Transformation at Deakin University support the most striking increase: the rise in the price of lettuce.
Data shows lettuce has risen 150 percent in 12 months, from a national average of $ 2 per head for icebergs last year to $ 5 in 2022.
In recent months, all kinds of green leafy vegetables have disappeared from the food aisles, including broccoli, which has made the second biggest leap.
That has risen from $ 6.90 a kilo in June last year to $ 11.90 in June this year, an increase of 72%.
Tomatoes have had the third largest jump, rising 25 percent more during that same time period.
Not surprisingly, iceberg lettuce doubled in price between June 2020 and June 2022. (ABC News: Whetham Peak)
Deakin University researcher Christina Zorbas said most things cost more overall, meaning grocery bills were higher even though lettuce, broccoli and tomatoes were avoided.
“We actually call it a food price crisis,” Dr. Zorbas said.
“On average, fruit and vegetable prices have risen 7 percent.”
“Other foods, the staples we eat on a daily basis, like bread, have also increased by 10 percent.”
He said other commodities also rose, with spaghetti by 13 percent, potatoes by 12 percent and milk by 9 percent.
Food item
Price June 2020
Price June 2022
To change
24 months
Iceberg lettuce (per head)
$ 2.50
$ 5.00
+100 units
Broccoli (per kg)
$ 5.90
$ 11.90
+101.69 units
Tomatoes (per kg)
$ 6.90
$ 9.90
+43.48 units
Olive oil (1L)
$ 12
$ 16
+33.33 units
Apples (per kg)
$ 5.50
$ 4.50
-18.8 units
Oranges (per kg)
$ 3.50
$ 3.22
-7.94 units
“It’s a pretty big shock to the system,” Dr. Zorbas said.
“We’ve been tracking prices for five years and they haven’t changed until 2021/22.”
The effects of the floods on Australia’s east coast and global fuel prices are already evident, but researchers say prices are expected to rise further.
Request a national plan to take advantage of the supply of fresh produce from Australia
Sandra Demaio is the executive director of VicHealth, a state health promotion organization.
He said a national food plan was needed to help prevent widespread and long-term health problems.
Sandro Demaio says a national strategy will lead to better long-term health outcomes. (Provided by: VicHealth)
“We don’t have a food strategy for the country based on nutrition and health,” he said.
Dr. Demaio said VicHealth has seen a huge increase in the number of people who have never had trouble putting food on the table but are now struggling, and an increase in people eating less healthy but cheaper processed foods.
“We know that a poor diet is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and various cancers,” he said.
“We are a big producer of fresh food. We produce a lot more food than we consume.”
“I think it’s about the government’s work with the private sector and community leaders to look at practical actions.”
Apples were among the few items that had come down in price. (ABC News: Rachel Pupazzoni)
Dr. Zorbas said the institute was also pushing for the federal government to enact practical food policies.
“The first thing to do is increase JobSeeker [payments] and government revenue support rates, ”he said.
“You can also do that through food subsidies, you can do that through taxes or by regulating the way they put specials on certain food groups.”
The ABC asked the federal government about a national plan for food affordability, but received no response before the deadline.
As the prices of green leafy vegetables rise, other fruits and vegetables are becoming cheaper.
As some call for a long-term change to manage Australians ’access to fresh produce, meanwhile, some items remain fairly price-stable, or even declining.
Both bananas and oranges are less expensive compared to this time of year last year, as they fell by 28% and 17% respectively.
Canned bean mixes are also 5 percent cheaper.
No change in the price of sweet corn was detected. (ABC Rural: Charlie McKillop)
Apples cost about $ 4.50 per pound, which is the same as in 2021, but in 2020 they were sold for $ 5.50.
The price of carrots, eggs, red onions and sweet corn is generally stable nationally.
In the short term, Dr. DeMaio encourages buyers to be wise, keeping nutrition in mind.
“Frozen foods are incredibly healthy,” he said.
“They’re a great cheap way to introduce more vegetables into our lives.
“Look at what’s in season and maybe buy at smaller grocery stores, which can often be a little cheaper.
“The most important thing is not to judge or blame people. We have to work together.”