The recent hike in avocado prices has led to the cafe Cuckoo Callay in Sydney’s inner-west suburb of Newtown updating their chalkboard sign outside to read ‘No avocados kept on the premises overnight’.
The joke is a reaction to the recent price hike and shortage on avocados which is due to an alleged industry error, which saw farmers throw all their stock at supermarkets in a bid to deal with Christmas demand.
The move reportedly left growers with little supply in January and February, and forced supermarkets to sell their fruit for around $6 — $8 a piece.
This increase has also pushed some cafe owners to put signage on their shopfronts as a warning to passer-bys that avocados are not “kept on premises overnight.”
In an interview with news.com.au, head chef at Cuckoo Callay Brenda Cullen said the move was just a bit of humour, and to tap in to the current conversation of expensive avocados across the country.
“The sign is for a laugh, and we use the board for a bit of humour,” she said.
“But the avocado prices are something everyone is aware of, and it is a talking point.
Admitting to paying up to $98 a tray for avocados last month, Ms Cullen said the price hike has meant a huge blow to the cafes profit margin.
“Our problem is that avocado prices have fluctuated so much, and we can’t change the prices on our menu, so as the avocado prices went up, our prices and profit have gone down a huge amount.''
Originally, the shortage was blamed on season and weather conditions across the country, but Fairfax Media reported International Avocado Society president Antony Allen said farmers threw all their stock onto supermarket shelves in the lead up to Christmas to help them deal with the usual slow January period.
But in an interview with news.com.au, Western Australia Avocado Growers’ Association chairman Wayne Franceschi rejected Mr Allen’s claims, saying the shortage was simply down to increased demand.
“Avocados are just hot property,” Mr Franceschi said. “They are a superfood.”
Admitting to an avocado shortage, Mr Franceschi also put the shortage down to weather across the country earlier in January.
“Cooler conditions are superb but there have been bushfires, which shut down roads and made things a little more difficult,” he said.
Reports indicate the prices of avocados are likely to reduce in March, with consumers already seeing a steady decrease across supermarkets.
