Supermarkets and grocers are grappling with a multi-week apple shortage.
But it's not all bad news - with a new crop now just days away.
The shortage situation has been going on for about six weeks.
"There's definitely fewer apples around this summer season than... would normally happen," Countdown general manager of produce Ryan McMullen said.
"We're down to the last few hundred crates of it from last season."
It's because apples are picked from February to May, then put into cold storage to be sold throughout the year.
"It's just fallen a bit short, there's not quite as much around from last season's crop to get through to this season's crop," McMullen said.
And people are admitting they've had to switch it up.
"I've noticed there aren't apples which is unfortunate as I like apples, but I've been switching to bananas to cope with the travesty," one person told Newshub.
But growers are expecting a bumper crop.
"They're really, really excited about what's about to be harvested towards the end of January, which will re-stock those shelves," Apples & Pears NZ market access manager Danielle Adsett told Newshub.
Despite the huge blow dealt by Cyclone Gabrielle, which ruined 610 hectares of apple crops in Hawke's Bay - about 10 percent of the region's apples, the industry is feeling confident.
"We have no concerns about supplying our markets, both domestically and export," Adsett said.
Those worried about getting a floury apple are advised to grab a new season variety like the Sunrise apple and eat it within two weeks - as they don't store well.
"We should have Carne, Royal Gala in coming weeks - then you'll see Fuji... and more common ones like Braeburn, Jazz and Pacific Queens from March," Stewart said.
