Manjimup shoppers go meatless for their meals as shoppers asked about grocery increases

Meatless meals seem to be an increasing option for shoppers in the South West, as the Manjimup-Bridgetown Times investigates the costs of grocery shopping amid an inquiry from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission into supermarket pricing. Several shoppers spoke about the increased costs during their grocery shopping trips and the items they’ve had to cut back on, with meat being a notable product taken off the shopping list. Coles shopper Edith Boland said price increases had meant she was cooking more basic food and having to reduce buying meat. “Generally, I have cooked more basic food, cut out meat, buy the home brand stuff and make the basic food last longer because of the costs,” Ms Boland said. She also believed there was price gouging involved when she was asked about the ACCC inquiry. “Very much so, they’re definitely doing it,” she said. A shopper who wanted to remain anonymous also mentioned cutting down on meat products due to the price increases and said she would be “annoyed” if the inquiry showed evidence of price gouging. “Definitely has gotten more expensive, especially meat and cleaning products,” the shopper said. “I’ve had to cut down on meat meals and I’ve definitely had to bulk buy products. “I’d be annoyed if there was evidence of price gouging.” A shopper, who wanted to be identified by her first name Penny, said she was waiting for more information regarding the inquiry and had noticed the price increases after the total was calculated. “When you get the bill in the end, it costs a bit more than it used to,” she said. “I’m just waiting for more details into the inquiry.” Shopper Teila Allen said the costs of snacks for her children had the most noticeable price increase and she would find it “scary” if price gouging was involved due to kids being impacted by it. “The overall bill has increased, but also the costs of snacks for the kids have increased as well,” she said. “It would be scary, you don’t want that especially with the kids growing up.” “I think they will keep going up, I don’t know why, but I guess they’ve got to keep making their money.” On the day the Manjimup-Bridgetown Times visited several supermarkets in Manjimup and Bridgetown, rump steak was the most expensive at Woolworths, costing $32/kg, while Coles and The Stables IGA also had high prices for the cheapest steak, coming in at $22/kg and $31.95/kg. Beef mince cost between $9.75/kg and $16/kg, while whole chicken was a cheaper option, coming in at $4.50/kg to $7.99/kg. Concerns on costs of living comes as Opposition Leader Shane Love expressed concerns in the inquiry that growers in the South West were not gaining enough returns from supplying quality produce to supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths. “This inquiry is necessary to safeguard fair returns for producers and ensure the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the horticulture sector in WA,” he said. “Feedback from local growers highlights the detrimental impact of decisions made by major supermarkets on farm gate prices, which is a particular concern for producers in the South West.” “After Coles and Woolworths take their share, additional fixed costs like transportation and packaging are leaving growers with a greatly diminished return.” He also said growers were considering leaving the region and the South West was in jeopardy of losing a section of its economic contributions. “Many growers are also finding it increasingly difficult to find the seasonal staff they need to deliver high-quality WA fruit and veg, with a labour shortage, recent changes to the Federal working-holiday visa scheme, and a lack of local accommodation being key factors,” Mr Love said. “If these challenges are not addressed, the risk is that we may lose some of our fruit and vegetable producers, with AusVeg reporting up to 30 per cent of growers are considering leaving the industry in the next 12 months. “This would be disastrous in the South West, where horticulture is a major employer and a significant economic contributor for many communities.” “This is why The Nationals WA have spearheaded the need for an ACCC inquiry into supermarket pricing of fruit and vegetables.”