Queensland strawberries are in the peak of their season with quality and price both excellent. Recent favourable weather conditions have seen crops flourish. This part of the season produces arguably some of the best strawberries grown in Australia so consumers can purchase with plenty of confidence. Blueberries from northern NSW continue to eat well and are also easing in price. In other fruit news limes, lemons, and bananas are all up in price. I suspect the shortage in bananas will be short lived and we should expect to see supply return to normal in the spring.
IN VEGETABLE
Over the past few days it has become apparent that many of the deciduous trees are now starting to bud. The new growth is the first sign that we are through the worst of winter and marching towards spring. The markets also reflect this change with produce much more readily available. Warmer temperatures in the growing areas (particularly the overnight temperatures) and longer days are leading to increased volumes arriving to market. Corn, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, capsicum, green beans, peas, salads, kumera, baby broccoli, all cabbages, Dutch carrots, fennel, spring onions and gourmet tomatoes are well supplied. Lines still difficult procure include celery, punnet tomatoes, yellow squash, chillies, iceberg lettuce, cos lettuce and baby eggplant.
Currently there is a good size flush of Swiss brown mushrooms. Coming from Murrumbateman near the ACT, this week we have Swiss brown mushrooms at the same price as cup mushrooms – a phenomenon rarely seen. Green beans are half the price they were this time last week and the forecast is that they will continue to ease as the week goes on.
