CANBERRA: IT’S enough to give you the pip — lemons are selling for up to $1.60 each and extra imports are on the market. Coles says it has had to stock lemons from the United States for the past three weeks in most states, including Victoria, because of a local supply squeeze.
“Ordinarily, we can stock Australian lemons year-round; however, lower rainfall in Queensland during the growing period has meant our suppliers haven’t been able to produce as many lemons as last year,” spokesman Blair Speedy said.
Woolworths’ online shopping website is advertising imported lemons for up to $1.60 each. Most stores are currently only stocking imports because it is the shoulder season in Australia. South Melbourne Market trader Ray Khojasteh said he always had a mix of American and Australian lemons at this time of year. The imports were $4 for three.