- Food prices are rising at one of the fastest rates among consumer goods in Australia. Costs of fruit and vegetables rose 18.6% in August compared to a year ago, according to the latest update by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
- Australia, like many countries, is battling record-high inflation. Annual inflation in August has risen to 6.8% from just under 2% before the pandemic.
- The east coast floods this year exacerbated price increases pushing up the price of a head of lettuce to nearly A$12 a head.
SYDNEY — In Sydney’s food mecca, Chinatown, menu prices at long-time restaurant Mother Chu’s have risen between 20% and 30% since the start of the pandemic.
Alan Chu, owner of the Taiwanese eatery, said price increases in lettuce and most vegetables, as well as other food ingredients in Australia, have driven up prices at his restaurant — known for serving affordable meals for roughly under $30 Australian dollars, or about $20, a dish.
“There’s been a very large increase in the price of vegetables, for example even a small cabbage or lettuce can go up to A$10 to A$12 dollars which is unheard of,” Chu said.
www.cnbc.com/2022/10/05/australia-inflation-rising-food-prices-are-hurting-restaurants-diners.html
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