As Queenslanders grapple with the aftermath of severe flooding, the impact on daily life has been profound, with supermarkets in the region facing unprecedented challenges. The deluge has disrupted lives and supply chains, leading to a peculiar phenomenon in the aisles of local grocery stores.
In the wake of the floods, residents have been panic-buying essentials, stripping shelves bare of staples like bread, meat, and fresh produce. However, amidst the scarcity, there’s been one surprising exception: bananas. Yes, bananas have become the unexpected surplus amid a crisis.
Videos circulating on social media platforms have highlighted the surreal scenes. Users like @asian.barbiee and @womeninbuilding have shared clips from Coles supermarkets in Cairns, where the fresh produce section is virtually empty, save for an abundance of green bananas. The videos show rows upon rows of the fruit, prompting quips about a ‘Planet of the Apes’ scenario and jokes about an unintentional ‘banana diet’ for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The situation has become so dire that some have likened it to the ‘2025 Hunger Games’, with shoppers expressing their frustration and amusement at the bizarre state of affairs. One shopper even compared the relief of finding bread to winning the lottery, underscoring the desperation felt by many as they traverse from store to store in search of basic necessities.
The extreme weather has devastated large parts of Queensland, particularly affecting towns like Townsville, Ingham, and Cardwell, where evacuation orders have been issued. The floods have damaged vital transport routes, making it difficult for trucks to deliver goods and for produce to be shipped out of the region.
In response to the crisis, Coles has been working tirelessly to restock shelves, utilising air, road, and sea transport to get hundreds of pallets of food and essentials into their stores. Coles Queensland Regional Manager, Brad Stewart, has assured that efforts are being made to alleviate the situation, with emergency flights organised by the Queensland Government and shipments arriving by barge.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has warned that the rainfall is expected to continue, with some areas breaking their monthly rainfall records in just a matter of days. This ongoing deluge means that the situation could remain precarious for some time, with severe weather warnings in place for multiple districts.
The irony of the banana surplus is not lost on those familiar with Queensland’s agricultural landscape. North Queensland is responsible for over 90% of Australia’s banana production, and with the supply routes compromised, the region is facing an oversupply while the rest of Australia experiences a shortage.
Australian Banana Growers Council chair Leon Collins, who is also a banana grower, has spoken about the resilience of the farming community during these challenging times. He emphasises the dedication of growers to provide high-quality produce despite adversity and calls for sustainable, long-term solutions to the recurring issues with major freight routes.
As the state looks forward to a return to normalcy, with shelves expected to be restocked by the end of next week, the flood crisis serves as a reminder of the fragility of our supply chains and the importance of supporting local communities during times of disaster.
Have you encountered any unusual situations in your local stores? What’s your take on the banana shortage or surplus? Let us know in the comments below and stay safe out there!
Also read: As Coles slashes its product range, will well-known brands disappear from supermarket shelves?
