IN FRUIT:
Really very little news on the fruit front. Apples continue to be difficult post the bushfire season which is when they would normally bloom. Most of the citrus is plentiful and good eating. However, Imperial mandarins are a little dearer than they have been as we transition from Queensland to the southern growing regions. Avocados remain excellent quality and great value. In berries, we have a very good line of organic blueberries in store this week, it’s no dearer than the conventional product and very good value indeed. Towards the weekend, it appears the Queensland strawberries will start to arrive in good numbers and hopefully by next week, they will be somewhat less expensive. Grapes are coming to an end and anything good quality is definitely dearer than last week. There is some cheaper fruit available, but I think its best avoided.
IN VEG:
Still some good options in the vegetable world, even though supply has dwindled with the very cold weather. Best of all this week, Roma tomatoes are very well priced; in fact cheaper than both Truss and gourmet tomatoes, and that only happens a couple of times each year! Pumpkin of all types is good and inexpensive as we finish up the Autumn crops. Kumera and the other varieties of sweet potatoes are good and inexpensive. Rhubarb, Imperfect parsnips and Dutch carrots remain well supplied and increased supplies of cauliflowers and broccoli will bring their respective prices back down over the weekend.
