Sutherland Shire Grapples With Surging Acai Bowl Black Market Amongst Cost of Living Crisis

Blake Curran | Investigative Journalist | Sutherland Shire Gazette

30 December 2025

In a shocking turn of events, Sutherland Shire’s beloved acai bowls have become the latest victim of the region’s escalating cost-of-living crisis, sparking the emergence of a thriving underground acai bowl black market.

Once a staple of post-yoga breakfasts and beachfront Instagram stories, the average acai bowl now costs upwards of $24 — a price locals describe as "criminal" and “basically a mortgage repayment.” Faced with this harsh reality, desperate residents have turned to unconventional sources.

“I couldn’t justify paying $25 for blended fruit topped with granola,” admitted Kirrawee local Jess Carmichael, 34. “Now I meet a guy named ‘Berry Bill’ behind the Cronulla surf club for half-price acai. It’s risky, but so is skipping breakfast.”

Authorities say the black market operates in back alleys and gym parking lots, where vendors offer cut-price acai bowls in dubious takeout containers. Police reportedly intercepted one suspect attempting to flee a juice bar with an entire bag of “unregistered chia seeds.”

Local wellness influencer Bree Summerton sounded the alarm on social media after being sold a “counterfeit” acai bowl that was allegedly just blended frozen berries from Aldi. “I knew something was off when it tasted... affordable,” she lamented.

Council officials have promised to address the crisis, suggesting a government-subsidized “Smoothie Relief Package,” though critics argue this won’t be enough to curb the rising tide of illicit acai operations.

In the meantime, locals are advised to stay vigilant and avoid “too-good-to-be-true” acai deals — especially if the vendor insists on payment in cash or protein powder.