This year has seen the price of cucumbers at a 10 year high.
Australia wide there has been extreme weather conditions that have affected the crops in South Australia, Queensland as well as Geraldton in WA.
Geraldton supplies around 80% of Australia’s Continental Cucumbers throughout the Winter period of June, July and August. The average night temperature has been unusual in that region this year and we have seen very low temperature at times while also being very high temperature on some nights. These erratic minimal temperature fluctuations has seen the plants abort the cucumbers. Losses are well into 50% and the remaining fruit that is pickable is either misshapen or well undersize. Moreover, the plants become susceptible to disease so plant losses are at an all-time high.
Consequently, we have well above normal prices and severe shortages of cucumbers Australia wide.