BUYER'S GUIDE: 4th Sept - 10th Sept

BEST BUYS:

Fruit: Blood Oranges (QLD) *Mandarin (QLD) * Orange - juicing (NSW) * Pineapple (QLD) * Rockmelon (QLD/NT) * Strawberries- medium (QLD)

Vegetable: Baby Dutch Carrots (NSW) * Beetroot- large (QLD) * Celeriac (VIC) * Fennel Bulb- large (VIC) * Sweetcorn (QLD) * Zucchini (QLD)  

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: New Season Asparagus- medium (VIC) * Honey Pear (VIC) * New Season Mangoes- VIP (NT) * Mulberries (NSW) * Pineapple- rough skin (QLD) 

Vegetable: Cime De Rapa (NSW) * Jalapeno Chilli- green (QLD) * Sorrel- red vein (VIC) * Witlof- white (VIC) * Zucchini Flower- with fruit (NSW)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Expensive: Limes

Poor Quality: Pomegranate

Short Supply & Expensive: Butter Beans- yellow

Not Available: USA Cherries (season over) * Dragon Fruit * Chestnut Mushrooms


BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 28th Aug-3rd Sept

Asian Vegetables: Short Supply

Water Spinach

Asian Vegetables: Not Available

 Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Kachay * Sugar Cane * Tamarind

Exotic Fruits: Short Supply

Banana Buds/Bell

Exotic Fruits: Not Available

Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Dragonfruit * Guava * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Pomelos- red * Rambutan *  Tamarillo (gold)


BUYER'S GUIDE: 28th Aug - 3rd Sept

MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit

The Buy list: Delicious Apples, Hass Avocadoes, Blueberries, Cumquats, Kiwifruit, Mandarins, Blood Oranges, Passionfruit, Packham Pears, Pineapples, Rhubarb, Rockmelons & QLD Strawberries. 

The Watch List: Grapes (Quality), Figs (PRICE), Honeydew (Price), Lime (Price), Red Papaya (Price), Seedless Watermelons (Price & Quality).

Market Insights: NT Mangoes season has commenced and it is good quality for early season fruit. The first of the early season Stonefruit “Peaches” are on market, quality is 4/10 but indicates the season is not far off. The main lines to watch this week are Honeydews & Seedless watermelons (price and quality) & Red Papaya (price). USA cherries are all over for this season, next available will be Australian fruit in November, with best quality arriving closer to Xmas.

MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables

The Buy list: Beetroot, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Cime Di Rapa, Chinese Leaf Veg, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Leeks, Yam Oka, Zucchini , Spuds & Sweet Potatoes.

The Watch List: Capsicums (Quality & Price), Eggplant (Price), Gold Squash (Price), Tomatoes (Price) & Jarradale Pumpkin (Price).

Market Insights: Capsicums are having supply issues which is pushing prices up, will see this change next week. Green Peas are available just limited in supply and quality. Sweetcorn is over its supply problems and is coming back in to the fold daily. New season Jumbo Asparagus has commenced and it is JUMBO. Also Edible flowers are slowly rolling in, seeing more variety on market each week. Zucchini Flowers are also back in the fold.

BEST BUYS:

Fruit: Blueberries (NSW) * Mandarin (QLD) * Packham Pears (VIC) * Pineapple (QLD) * Strawberries- large (QLD)

Vegetable: Beetroot- large (QLD) * Celery (VIC) * Chat Potatoes (SA) * Green Beans (QLD) * Zucchini (QLD)  

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: Baby Pineapples - with stems (QLD) * Banana Leaves (QLD) * Blackberries (NSW) * New Season Mangoes- VIP (NT) * Plate Strawberries- VIP (QLD)

Vegetable: Broad Beans (NSW) * Cime de Rapa (NSW) * Truss Tomatoes- blush petite (NSW) * Radicchio (NSW) * Sorrel- red vein (VIC)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Expensive: Limes

Short Supply & Expensive: Honeydew * Butter Beans- yellow

Not Available: USA Cherries * Dragon Fruit * Chestnut Mushrooms


START YOUR ENGINES

Q: Could you fuel a V8 from your kitchen?

After the slow and steady pace of Winter, Spring is a time of supercharged activity for the horticultural and food service sectors. The V8 supercars may set the pace at Eastern Creek but they fall well short of the speed at which the markets turnover between September and January. To help you keep track of the changes ahead, below is a concise calendar of key produce lines that hit full throttle during Spring and others that fall off the pace in terms of quality, supply and price. To see the markets in action this Spring, contact us to organise your guided tour of the Sydney Produce and Growers markets with SG&S  Director, Damian George.

FULL THROTTLE:

The below produce lines hit their natural peak in Spring and will therefore offer great buying and quality over the coming months

 

OFF THE PACE:

While we are fortunate enough to have a relatively unbroken supply of produce throughout the year in Australia, that being said, you can expect the following items to increase in price, become limited in availability or finish altogether during Spring as their natural season ends.

Buddha Hands- while supply has been inconsistent this year, the traditional season ends in October

Celeriac- while still available, peak season ends September

Gold Kiwifruit – start to drop our in September/October

Limes – while supply is still steady, prices will start to rise considerably over the coming weeks

Mandarins- start to phase out in October

Oranges- Blood Oranges drop off in September while Seville Oranges drop off in October, though Navels will be available until November

Root Vegetables-peak season for most winter root vegetables ends in September

Tangellos- start to wind up November

Taro Root- drops off for a few months in Oct/Nov

 

A: Well maybe not, but in 2009 a British team did design a Formula 3 race car powered entirely by vegetable oil and waste chocolate. In fact vegetables played a key role in the car’s overall design- the turbocharged engine ran on biodiesel and lubricants derived from plant oil, the wing endplates were made of potato starch covered with flax fibre and the steering wheel was made of curran (carrot fibres said to be equally as strong as carbon fibre). Even closer to home, Australia’s V8s are also vege powered (to a degree) with the racing competition being exclusively powered by E85 – an 85% ethanol-based fuel- since 2009.


BUYER'S GUIDE: 21st Aug - 27th Aug

MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit

The Buy list: Apples, Blueberries, Cumquats, Kiwifruit, Mandarins, Nashi Pears, Oranges, Passionfruit, Red Papaya, Pineapples, Rhubarb, and QLD Strawberries.

The Watch List: Honeydews, Seedless Melons, Limes, Raspberries. Honeydews are short in supply. Lime quality is sound, supply is shortening and price is on the up. Raspberries, supply available just expensive. The quality of Seedless Watermelons is about 7/10.

Market Insights: It’s a good week for fruit with most lines in good supply and well priced. New Season mangoes are available but just not eating at their best yet. New season USA Seedless Grapes are having a few issues with quality, early season QLD grapes are available but quality is nothing special. Figs are still available as well. Overall a good week for Fruit.

MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables

The Buy list: Beetroot, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Chinese Leaf Vegs, Telegraph Cucumbers, Fennel, Micro Herbs, Leeks, Gourmet salads, Kale, Kohl Rabi, Sweet Potatoes, Spuds and Onions.

The Watch List: Red & Green Capsicums, Cos Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Fresh Green Peas and All Tomatoes.

Market Insights: Sweet Corn is very short in supply, will see this change by next Monday. Tomatoes still short & expensive but will see relief by end of next week, same with Red & Green Capsicums.

BEST BUYS:

Fruit: Blood Oranges (QLD) * Blueberries (NSW) * Kiwifruit (NZ) * Pineapple (QLD) * Strawberries- large (QLD)

Vegetable: Cauliflower (QLD) * Celeriac (VIC) * Leek - large (SA) * Potato- brushed chip (NSW) * Wild Rocket (VIC)

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: Baby Pineapples - with stems (QLD) * Dates- California (USA) * Gold Kiwifruit (NZ * Mangosteen (IMP) * Plate Strawberries - VIP (QLD)

Vegetable: Baby Garlic (NSW) * Cime de Rapa (NSW) * Kale-coloured (NSW) * Kohlrabi (NSW) * Sorrel - red vein (VIC)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Short Supply: Namenko Mushroom

Short Supply & Expensive: Honeydew * Sweetcorn

Not Available: Dragonfruit * Finger Fennel * Chestnut Mushroom


BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 14th Aug-20th Aug

Asian Vegetables: Short Supply

Gai Choy * Jicama * Water Spinach

Asian Vegetables: Not Available

 Asian Celery * Kachay * Sugar Cane * Tamarind

Exotic Fruits: Short Supply

Banana Buds/Bell * Guava- cooking

Exotic Fruits: Not Available

Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Dragonfruit * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Pomelos- red * Rambutan *  Tamarillo (gold)


BUYER'S GUIDE: 14th Aug - 20th Aug

MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit

The Buy list: Apples, Bananas, Blueberries, Ruby Grapefruit, Kiwifruit, Mandarins, Oranges, All Pears, Blood Oranges, Papaw, Passionfruit, Pineapples & Strawberries.

The Watch List: Honeydews, Seedless Watermelons, Papaya & Figs. 

Market Insights: USA Cherries coming to an end this week, as are Australian Grapes- quality is ok on both without being remarkable. Seedless New Season USA Red, Black & White Grapes are available with pricing back this week, more of the same in coming weeks. Figs are available but limited in supply and expensive.

Honeydews are very short and will stay this way for the next 4 weeks, quality Seedless Watermelons are expensive and size is medium. Red Papaya has shot up this week, the good news is there is ample supply of Pawpaw which is well priced to cover.

Rockmelons, Pineapples and Papaw best subs for Honeydews and Seedless Watermelons.

MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables

The Buy list: Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Celery, Chicory, Chinese Leaf Veg, Leeks, All Gourmet Salad Mix, Swedes, Gold Sweet Potatoes, All Spuds Red, White & Gourmet, Salad Onions and Green Zucchini.

The Watch List: Green Beans, Broccoli, Red Capsicums, Sweet Corn and all Tomatoes.

Market Insights: New Season Australian Asparagus is just a few weeks away, by early September we should see the first arrivals. Meanwhile the Australian Truffle season is in its closing stages. We are still feeling the effect of past poor weather with Broccoli, Red Capsicums and good quality Tomatoes in short supply and in the high dollar zone. All quality Tomatoes will stay this way for the next 2 weeks, Green Beans, Broccoli, Red Capsicums and Sweet Corn will drift back by early next week.

The quality of the best buy lines are excellent, priced to suit with good colour range. 

BEST BUYS:

Fruit: Blueberries (NSW) *Kiwifruit (NZ) * Mandarin (QLD) * Pawpaw- yellow (QLD) * Strawberries- large (QLD) 

Vegetable: Beetroot-large (QLD) * Brussel Sprouts (VIC) * Celeriac (VIC) * Chat Potatoes- desiree (SA) * Zucchini- green (QLD)

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: Apples- royal gala (NSW) * Beurre Bosc Pears (VIC) * Blood Oranges (QLD) * Cumquats (QLD) * Grapes - red seedless (USA) * Honey Pears (VIC) * Strawberries - VIP (QLD)

Vegetable: Chicory (NSW) * Okra (NT) * Tuscan Cabbage (NSW)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Short Supply: Vine Sweet Baby Capsicum * Zucchini Flowers

Short Supply & Expensive: Honeydew * Sweetcorn

Not Available: Dragonfruit * Finger Fennel


BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 7th Aug-13th Aug

Asian Vegetables: Short Supply

Gai Choy * Water Spinach

Asian Vegetables: Not Available

 Asian Celery * Kachay * Sugar Cane * Tamarind

Exotic Fruits: Short Supply

Banana Buds/Bell * Buddha hands * Guava- cooking

Exotic Fruits: Not Available

Asian Plum * Dragonfruit * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Pomelos- red * Rambutan *  Tamarillo (gold)


BUYER'S GUIDE: 7th Aug - 13th Aug

 

FRUIT: Market Summary

The Buy list: All Apples, Blueberries, Kiwifruit, Oranges, Passionfruit, Pawpaw & Papaya, Rhubarb, Ruby Grapefruit and QLD Strawberries.

The Watch List: Honeydew supply is very short this week- quality is nothing special with quality product going for big money. Rockmelons are back in price with the NT season switching on and quality improving. Both Seedless and Long Watermelons are holding in price for quality items.

Market Insights: USA Cherry season is about to end. New Season USA Seedless Grapes have commenced. The first of the New Season NT Mangoes are on the markets this week, however it will be another 3 weeks before regular supplies become available.

VEGETABLES: Market Summary

The Buy list: Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chinese Vegies, Leeks, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Mesclun, Wild Rocket & Gourmet Baby Spinach,  All Spuds, Sweet Potatoes and Zucchini. 

The Watch List: Green Beans (quality), Sweetcorn, Lebanese & Telegraph Cucumbers and Tomatoes (all lines) are in short supply and expensive. This will turnaround within 2 weeks as the QLD weather warms up following forecasts of clear skies!

Market Insights: The Australian Asparagus season will commence end of August/early September. Local Red & Green Cabbage is on the shorter side but supply and demand are matched. SA Onion season is on the down-hill run, will finish in 3 weeks.

BEST BUYS:

Fruit: Apples- delicious (VIC) * Blood Oranges (QLD) * Pawpaw- yellow (QLD) * Pineapple (QLD) * Strawberries - large (QLD)

Vegetable: Celeriac (VIC) * Fennel bulb- large (VIC) * Portabello Mushroom (NSW) * Sweet Potato - large (QLD)  * Wild Rocket (VIC)

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: Beurre Bosc Pears (VIC) * Cumquats (QLD)  * Green Mango (QLD) * Mangosteen (IMP) * Starfruit- aka Carambola (QLD)

Vegetable: Baby Endive (VIC) * King Brown Mushrooms (IMP) * Purple Jester Potatoes (TAS) * Treviso (NSW) * White Daikon- radish (NSW)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Short Supply: Butter Bean - yellow * Sweetcorn

Expensive: Baby Green beans * Honeydew

Not Available: Dragonfruit


BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 31st Jul - 6th Aug

Asian Vegetables: Short Supply

Water Spinach

Asian Vegetables: Not Available

 Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Kachay * Tamarind

Exotic Fruits: Short Supply

Banana Buds/Bell * Dragonfruit * Guava- cooking

Exotic Fruits: Not Available

Asian Plum * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Pomelos- red * Rambutan *  Tamarillo (gold)