Australia: Loads of oranges dumped as food prices skyrocket

Australian inflation figures released last week show that the cost of living rose by 6.8 percent in the 12 months to August. The cost of food and beverages was a major contributor to that figure, with fruit and vegetables in particular driving the increase: from 9.1 percent in June to 18.6 percent in August. That means that the cost of fresh fruit and vegetables is too high for many. And this in turn has resulted in Australian growers dumping lots of oranges that couldn't be sold on the market. Household budgets have come under increasing pressure in the past year due to rising inflation. Comparison website Finder found last month that groceries are the second largest expense for Australian families. Finder ...