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Demand for lettuce seeds surge in latest twist to vegetable saga

Owen LeonardNCA NewsWire
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The vegetable crisis has reached new heights. Fawcett Media Weekly Times
Camera IconThe vegetable crisis has reached new heights. Fawcett Media Weekly Times Credit: Supplied

Sales for lettuce seeds are skyrocketing as Australians look to save money by growing their own.

A national lettuce shortage has been caused by what pundits describe as a “perfect storm” in 2022, with floods along the east coast earlier in the year compounded by an unusually frosty start to winter to make for unfavourable growing conditions.

The supply issue has sent prices through the roof, including some supermarkets reportedly charging as much as $12 for a head of iceberg lettuce.

Even major fast-food chains like KFC have felt the pinch, using cabbage in burgers as an alternative.

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Australians are now looking to bypass the lettuce shortage by growing their own.

Popular online shopping site eBay has reported a staggering 209 per cent increase in sales of lettuce seeds over the past month in the latest vegetable crisis development, with gardening supplies also in high demand.

Lettuce Follow
Camera IconSales for lettuce seeds skyrocketed 209 per cent on eBay in June. Steve Pohlner Credit: News Corp Australia

Sales for soil and gardening beds have both risen 16 per cent, while raised garden bed purchases are up 21 per cent.

eBay communications chief Sophie Onikul says Australians are fed up with cabbage in their burgers and empty shelves at their grocery stores.

“While the nation grapples with the cost of living and product shortages, customers are literally taking matters into their own hands by turning to eBay to grow their own produce in their backyards to not only get their greens but save money in the long run,” Ms Onikul said.

“Aussies everywhere are feeling the pinch of overpriced produce and a supply shortage, from empty grocery shelves to major fast-food chains having to swap out lettuce for cabbage.”

Lettuce farmers have been struggling to get crops in amid unfavourable conditions. Laura Ferguson
Camera IconLettuce farmers have been struggling to get crops in amid unfavourable conditions. Laura Ferguson Credit: Supplied

The lettuce-growing boom comes as Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie called on the federal government to allow more workers into the country to fix a farming labour shortage.

“I’m sorry; you want to know why your lettuces are $12? Farmers are not planting because they do not have the people to get the crop in,” Senator McKenzie this month told ABC program Q&A.

“That means the price of food goes up – it’s that simple.”

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