A spike in winter temperatures in Queensland brought strawberry fields to peak production late last week and in response, Coles dropped prices to as low as one dollar.
The glut of berries has meant wholesale agents will not accept anything but extra-large strawberries.
A Queensland strawberry grower posted an emotional video to social media, despairing about throwing away drum loads of edible fruit because they do not meet retailers demand for extra-large berries.
The video highlights the waste crisis that this is causing, despite waste management efforts to freeze-dry excess fruit.