VEGETABLES
Quality and value are very good for almost all vegetable varieties, due mainly to favourable weather conditions in growing areas
Often in previous years, around August, the colder and wetter conditions have led to shortages and quality issues for some varieties. However this year milder growing conditions have resulted in excellent quality and value.
Beans and Corn are still expensive.
FRUIT
Apples – This week I’ll be buying Pink Lady, Fuji, Granny Smith and Jazz – all are in season and very good quality.
Avocados – Quality and value are very good right now for Hass. Increased popularity for avocados over the last few years has put some pressure on supply, however it seems growers may be catching up thankfully.
Bananas – Very good quality and value.
Blueberries and Raspberries – Good supplies of Blueberries in the market – very good quality. I am holding off on Raspberries just for the moment until quality and value are more consistent.
Grapes – Crimson Seedless are coming to the end of their season – and picking has finished. There is still fruit in the market however quality is declining. Any grapes available in the shops now will have been cold stored, and after another few weeks USA grapes will be all that is available. The new season will commence in December.
Kiwifruit – The New Zealand season has started and quality is very good for both gold and green.
Lemons – Excellent quality and value.
Limes – Good quality and value.
Mandarins – Imperial Mandarines are in season – excellent quality and value. Picking region has switched from QLD to South Australia.
Oranges – Navels are in season and quality is excellent.
Papaya – From Northern QLD – quality and value is very good.
Pineapples – Topless Pines are in season. Quality and value are very good – sweet and juicy.
Rockmelons – New season fruit from the Northern Territory is now available. At this time of year, the available varieties will have a firmer texture. They are still juicy, sweet and flavoursome.
Stonefruit – The season has finished until Mangoes start around October.
Strawberries – The Queensland season is in full swing. Quality is now excellent, and prices have come down also. There is a chance their may be some even better value in the next week or so.
Watermelon – For around the the next weeks, quality and supply will be poor as growing areas change. It is recommended to wait until the new season starts.