GEELONG residents are facing a vegetable shortage not seen since World War II as whacky weather across the nation destroys crops in Australia's salad bowls.
Prices have already skyrocketed in supermarkets and greengrocers as farmers count the cost of their losses due to floods, drought and frost.
Potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and even zucchini prices have already doubled, with more shortages expected to follow in weeks across the traditional winter harvests range.
``We haven't seen the worst of it yet,'' Ausveg's Michael Badco/ck warned.
``It's very grim _ we know just how much spare ground we have at the moment.
``This shortage could go on for a long time.
``I think it's quite a worry for all of us.''
More than 4000ha of cropping land was laid bare across much of the traditional growing areas, impacting on supply and prices, Mr Badc/ock said.
But the problems could be eased if outlets relaxed their standards and allowed blemished or imperfect supplies onto their shelves, he said.
And if prices rose too high many households would resort to growing their own greens in backyard gardens using recycled water, Mr Badco/ck said.
Zucchini prices had more than tripled, up from an average $4/kg to about $12, beans were generally sold at $6/kg were now about $14/kg, broccoli had risen from about $4/kg to $9/kg and lettuce had soared from just $3 each to $5.50.
Baden Caddie, from Geelong wholesaler Glynn Harvey, said he had never seen vegetable prices so high.
``You know how the stock exchange reaches new heights each week? Well vegetables have done that this year,'' Mr Caddie said.
``It's across the board.
``You often get little price spikes with one thing or another, but every vegetable is in short supply.
``The sheer amount of stuff planted at this time of year is down.''
Far north Queensland's salad bowls were last month devastated by frosts when temperatures plummeted to -7C, while drought and flooding had wiped out most stock in southeast Queensland.
Similar conditions in Victoria and New South Wales had ruined many crops, with some farmers unable to plant anything because they had run out of water.
Geelong industry stalwart Frank Costa said he had seen worse growing seasons in the early 1970s when most of the nation's vegetables were either wiped out or stranded at wholesalers due to flooding.
``If Mother Nature turns nasty it does have a big impact but if Mother Nature smiles then it generally has the other problem when supply is too high,'' Mr Costa said.
``I would expect this whole situation to turn around this coming spring.
``Given an even break with the weather the farmers are planting and should harvest those crops in late September.''Corio MP Gavan O'Connor, a former farmer and opposition agriculture minister, said cash-strapped families were hurting because of the shortages.
``It's clear that the erratic weather patterns we have experienced recently have impacted heavily on vegetable production,'' Mr O'Connor said.
``Market shortages have driven prices higher and this trend will continue in coming months.''
