Aussies warned to stock up as supermarket meal staple hit by severe shortage
Supermarket shelves have been stripped bare of a popular meal staple, with customers warned it may be some time before supplies return to normal.
Capsicums are the latest fresh produce item to suffer a severe shortage, after a string of similar supply issues across fruit and vegetable categories in 2025.
According to a Coles Customer Notice "extreme weather in the growing regions" have impacted supplies of yellow and green capsicums.
Capsicums are the latest fresh produce item to suffer a severe shortage. Nine
"We are working closely with our growers to improve supply as quickly as possible," the notice continued.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."
A Coles outlet in Sydney had a small amount of green capsicums in stock, but no red or yellow.
A nearby Aldi store didn't have any capsicums at all. Woolworths' website lists red and yellow capsicums as "out of stock".
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A Coles store in Sydney had a small number of green capsicums in stock. Nine
An Aldi store in Sydney didn't have any capsicums in its shelves at all. Nine
Recent heavy rain in Queensland and the cool start to the season in South Australia and Mildura have affected the crop yields of red and green capsicums. Capsicums are reportedly very sensitive to wet weather in particular.
Increased biosecurity measures following crop disease outbreaks is delaying the movement of crops between states.
Capsicum supplies are expected to be intermittent for the next few weeks.
Grocery shoppers have grown used to Customer Notices explaining fruit and vegetable shortages in 2025 thanks to extreme and adverse weather conditions in the growing regions of some of our favourite fresh produce.
Most recently, Aussie shoppers struggled to find sweet potatoes.
Before then it was strawberries.
Capsicum supplies are expected to be intermittent. Nine
Other fruit and vegetable supplies impacted by adverse and extreme weather conditions this year includes blueberries, spring onions, and broccoli.
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Most recently, Aussie shoppers struggled to find sweet potatoes. Nine
Before then it was strawberries, and earlier in the year blueberries were impacted. Nine
Potatoes supplies have also been impacted, not only by extreme weather conditions, but a virus called Mop-Top which made growing conditions even more challenging.
The price of fruits and vegetables impacted by shortages have risen as a result of supply issues.
Capsicums currently cost between $10.90 to $12.90 per kilo at Coles. Woolworths is charging $2.48 each or $7.90 per kilo via The Odd Bunch.
Aldi has priced capsicums at $2.25 each.
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