Cool weather in Queensland triggers banana shortage at major Australian supermarkets
Unseasonably cool conditions in Queensland have slowed banana growth, leaving shelves empty at Coles, Woolworths and Aldi.
Cool temperatures in Far North Queensland have hampered banana development, causing a noticeable shortage in supermarkets nationwide. Woolworths attributed the shortfall to the weather, pledging to work with growers and restore supplies by November, and apologised for the inconvenience. Coles echoed the issue, noting that the challenging conditions may affect banana varieties on display.
Aldi, along with the other chains, has also seen empty banana aisles, and some locations report only greener or overripe fruit arriving. The problem is amplified because roughly 95% of Australia’s bananas come from the Cassowary Coast and Atherton Tablelands, regions highly sensitive to temperature changes. Consumers have taken to online forums to discuss the scarcity and quality concerns.
