Aussie households could save hundreds of dollars a year while improving their health by eating more Australian-grown vegetables, as cost-of-living pressures continue to bite following the latest interest rate hike.

With annual inflation having surged to 4.6% over the 12 months to March as the impacts of the Iran war continue flowing through the economy, the latest ABS data shows vegetable prices actually fell over the same period making them a great value, healthy option for Aussie families looking for savings amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis.

AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote said eating more vegetables is a simple way Australians can help ease financial pressures, while also benefiting their health.

“Like Australian vegetable growers, Aussie families are under sustained financial pressure and need relief, and Australian-grown vegetables remain one of the most affordable and healthiest food options available,” said Mr Coote.

“In the current cost-of-living crisis, value is key, and the numbers show vegetables continue to represent great value. Eating more vegetables is good for Aussies’ bank balances, good for Aussies’ health and good for Aussie vegetable growers.”

Affordable solutions

The recent 2026 Healthylife Living Healthy Report found vegetables cost an average of just 74 cents per serve, compared to 90 cents for unhealthy discretionary (processed or junk) foods.

Based on these averages, eating five serves of vegetables per day and cutting out unhealthy, discretionary foods would save individuals almost $300 per year – or nearly $1,200 for a family of four.

AUSVEG analysis of retail pricing over the past week reveals even more value on offer, including:

• Carrots widely available under $2.50/kg, or 19 cents per 75g serve.
• Broccoli widely available under $5.80/kg, or 44 cents per 75g serve.
• Onions widely available under $4.20/kg, or 32 cents per 75g serve.
• Pumpkin widely available under $3.50/kg, or 26 cents per 75g serve.
• Potatoes widely available under $5/kg, or 38 cents per 75g serve.

With dozens of different vegetable types and varieties on offer, there are plenty of options for all palates, and by shopping around and in-season, consumers can find the freshest, most cost-effective produce.

Diets under-served

Australians are eating an average of just 1.8 serves of vegetables a day, and only 6.5% of adults and 4.6% of children are consuming the recommended five serves, meaning families can also achieve significant health benefits by swapping more Australian-grown vegetables into their diets.

The industry, with support from Hort Innovation, is also leading the Plus One Serve initiative, aiming to help every Australian eat one more serve of vegetables each day by 2030.

Managing Director of Plus One Serve Justine Coates said addressing consumer perceptions of value remained a key barrier to getting more Australians eating more vegetables.

“One of the biggest challenges we face in lifting vegetable consumption is addressing consumer perceptions of the value of vegetables. The fact is and the data shows, vegetables are among the best-value, and healthiest foods available,” Ms Coates said.

“If every Australian eats one more serve of Australian-grown vegetables daily, there’s a $4.7 billion triple bottom line of benefits to be realised – saving money, improving health, and supporting Australian growers and the broader economy.”