Celery-bration: Price of celery drops a whopping 56%

Not just for cheese platters or as a garnish in a Bloody Mary cocktail, celery - a versatile yet often overlooked vegetable, has seen a huge price drop of late, down 56% compared to last year according to the latest Stats NZ Food Price Index for July.

As with many New Zealand-grown vegetables, last year cyclones and poor weather took its toll, resulting in a limited supply of celery. Foodstuffs South Island Produce Manager Justin Dykhoff says now it’s back in abundance, customers are seeing great value for celery appearing on shelves.

“We’ve seen a bounce back of whole celery bunches being sold compared to last year, where limited supply meant Kiwis were opting for halves instead. 

“Volume has returned and that’s being reflected in the value we are seeing, with in some cases a whole bunch is now cheaper than a half was last year,” he says.

Celery is grown all year round and thrives in moist and slightly acidic soil. Wayne Wycherley owner of Rangeview Produce based in Oamaru, supplies Foodstuffs South Island’s PAK’nSAVE, New World, Four Square and Raeward Fresh stores with celery says it’s great to see the plentiful supply return.

“We’ve had optimal grown conditions over summer lots of sunlight and rain which has meant celery plants have just flourished. The quality is not only amazing, but there’s great value for Kiwis too,” he says.

Celery is often purchased alongside other vegetables depending on the season, root crops in winter for roasts and soups or leafy crops for summer salads and is a great vegetable to add alongside hummus or cream cheese in kid’s lunch boxes.

Celery contains a high volume of water as well as nutrients like potassium, folate, choline, vitamin A and vitamin K and is great for winter warmer recipes like chicken pie or in a tuna salad for lunch.