IN FRUIT
The Shepard avocado season is steadily gaining momentum and it appears to be a sizeable crop. Prices will ease over the next few weeks as volumes continue to increase. Strong volumes of figs are now in the markets and the eating quality is superb. Our punnet figs, in particular, are excellent value this week, a must for this week’s shopping list. The pick this week for berries is raspberries with strong supply and excellent quality. Some more moderate temperatures over the last few days has led to a marked improvement of strawberry quality. There is also an abundance of good quality grapes this year. A strong season for supply and the eating quality of all the grape varieties is excellent. Peaches and nectarines are still plentiful in the markets but more importantly, the fruit is still eating great. For me, white nectarines are the stand out this week. Some relief for banana consumers is near. The recent rainfalls in far north Queensland have seen banana volumes spike dramatically. Watch out for some price decreases early next week as volumes continue to flow into the markets over the next few days.
IN VEGETABLES
Recent wet weather has disrupted supply lines temporarily. Beans, snow peas, sugar snaps, zucchini, Dutch carrots, capsicums and broccoli have all been affected. Broccolini and cauliflowers are both well supplied this week with broccolini in particular being really great value. Brussels sprouts, leeks, kale and kestrel potatoes are also well supplied. In tomatoes this week, supplies of both gourmet and Roma tomatoes are on the increase. Cherry tomatoes and sweet delights snacking tomatoes have good quality and value.
