Is fruit and veg more expensive in Perth?

Sometimes. On 2 October 2026, of the fruit and veg sold in both regions, 24% of Coles items and 28% of Woolworths items cost more in Perth than on the east coast, typically by 17-19%. Most items (70% at Coles, 60% at Woolworths) cost the same, and some cost less in Perth.

Which fruit and veg are cheaper in Perth?

On 2 October 2026, items such as green cabbage, half drumhead cabbage, carrot bunches and white mushrooms were cheaper in Perth at Coles or Woolworths, and none of them was on special in either region.

Why do produce prices differ between states?

Coles, Woolworths and ALDI told the ACCC's supermarkets inquiry that fresh produce is priced by state or regional pricing zone, unlike most packaged groceries, which are priced nationally.

← Insights

Fruit and veg in Perth: what costs more than the east coast, and what costs less

Packaged groceries cost the same nationally. Fresh produce is priced by state, so we checked the supermarkets' own websites.

2026-10-02 · Edited on 2026-10-02

Prices are correct as of 2 October 2026 and change over time — check the shop before you buy.

Image: Apple and Pears Australia Ltd, CC BY 2.0 — via Wikimedia Commons

Coles, Woolworths and ALDI charge the same for almost all packaged groceries in Perth as on the east coast. Fresh produce is different: the supermarkets price it by state. On the afternoon of 2 October 2026 we read the prices of hundreds of fruit and veg items that Coles and Woolworths sell in both Perth and the east coast, straight from their websites.

The short answer

Of the fruit and veg sold in both regions on 2 October 2026:

Coles (all 263 fruit and veg items listed in both, North Perth vs Melbourne): 70% cost the same, 24% cost more in Perth (typically by about 19%) and 6% cost less. One of each came to 3.3% more in Perth.
Woolworths (the 319 fruit and veg items we track in both regions, Perth vs Sydney): 60% cost the same, 28% cost more in Perth (typically by about 17%) and 13% cost less. One of each came to 4.6% more in Perth.

Dearer in Perth

Prices on 2 October 2026, none of them on special in either region:

Coles sweet potato 500g: $5.90 in Melbourne, $9.90 in Perth
Coles ginger 150g: $6.90 vs $9.50
Coles Packham pears 1kg: $4.90 vs $6.90

Cheaper in Perth

Prices on 2 October 2026, none of them on special in either region:

Woolworths whole green cabbage: $8.50 in Sydney, $7.90 in Perth
Woolworths Dutch carrot bunch: $4.90 vs $4.00
Coles white mushrooms 180g: $6.70 in Melbourne, $5.90 in Perth
Coles half drumhead cabbage: $4.50 vs $4.00

Specials differ by region too

Unlike packaged groceries, fruit and veg specials aren't always the same on both sides of the country. On 2 October 2026 at Coles, raspberries (125g) were on special in Melbourne at $4.50 but $6.50 in Perth, while brushed potatoes (2kg) were on special in Perth at $4.50 but $7.70 in Melbourne.

Because produce prices and specials change week to week, treat any single day's gap as a snapshot rather than a rule.

How to pay less for produce in Perth

Check the price per kilo, not just the pack price.
Watch for Perth-only specials: some produce is on special in Perth when it isn't on the east coast.

Mai Pantry shows Perth prices for Perth shoppers, not an east-coast average, across Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, IGA and Spudshed.

Prices read on 2 October 2026 from coles.com.au (North Perth store, and Coles' default online prices, which matched two Melbourne stores) and from woolworths.com.au (from a Perth connection and a Sydney connection).

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