Supermarkets and MPI are saying a shortage of melons

Imports here of the fruit were temporarily suspended, after the Ministry for Primary Industries found cucumber mottle mosaic virus on Australian produce at the border.

MPI says the virus was first detected on watermelons on August 15, and a suspension was briefly placed on imports.

That was lifted when new import requirements were put in place on August 27, which will manage the risk of the virus on fruit arriving at our border.

A Foodstuffs spokesperson says after the MPI investigation - and the new processes being put in place, shipments of Australian melon and Courgettes should recommence soon.