While grocery prices are skyrocketing for many things like lettuce, broccoli and berries, there’s currently a surplus of cheap, ripe Aussie avocados. So, if you love smashed avo, guacamole or green goddess bowls, now is the time to stock up. 

There are a couple of reasons for the glut. Firstly, it’s been a record production year, especially in WA. Secondly, many growers planted new trees over the last five years in response to increased demand. These new plantings are now coming into production, making for a surplus of fruit and sending avocado prices plummeting. 

According to Avocados Australia, single Hass avocado prices are down to a gasp-worthy $1.37 at Woolworths in Sydney this week, $1.27 in Melbourne, $1.30 in Brisbane and $1.60 in Perth. 

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Over the past six months or so, the situation has become so bad that some growers have taken to dumping low-grade fruit, because the probable return was so low it would be difficult to even recover the costs of labour, packaging and freight. 

Avocados Australia chief executive John Tyas is calling on Australians to increase their avo intake. 

“[Australians] were eating around 4 kilograms of avocados per person in 2021, but we need to be getting up to around 5 to 6kg,” he told the ABC. 

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“While households are feeling the pinch… we want to let shoppers know that they can buy avocados and have a great value product that is not only delicious but also a healthy and versatile meal option.”

“Like all growers, avocado growers have also been experiencing high input costs from increases in the cost of fertiliser, fuel and labour shortages, however despite this, avocados are being sold at prices that are offering excellent value for shoppers at the moment.”

Sounds like it’s time to break out that guacamole recipe. Need more inspo? Here’s 40 new ways to enjoy avocado (and not one of them is on toast)