BUYER'S GUIDE: 8th May - 14th May
The cooler weather and the changeover of growing areas is affecting some products (these will hold throughout winter or come back into play once the QLD season switches on in 3 to 4 weeks time).
Main products affected:
Figs: Price on the move and supply slowing as the season comes to an end. SGS will have supply right throughout winter, just watch the cost from June onwards
Grapes: Quality Seedless White and Coloured on the move up in price
Honeydew: QLD season has commenced and it is expected price, quality and supply will hold as is for the winter
Rockmelon: QLD season has commenced, price will hold till the season get into full swing in the next 3 to 4 weeks
Strawberries: Limited supplies at present- eating quality just okay and price right up there. Will change with the QLD Season commencing early June
Tomatoes: QLD- Bowen season about 3 weeks away, expect market to stay high till then
Watermelons: Quality is better in the small size melons for both varieties, price back this week
FRUIT:
Honeydews, Rockmelons & Strawberries the 3 main products to watch out for- price and quality.
Prime Products are Apples, Pears, Citrus, Hass Avocados, Bananas, Pineapples, Kiwifruit, Imported Dates, Dragonfruit, Pomegranates, Pomelos & Quince.
VEGIES:
Tomatoes, Gold Squash, Red Witlof, Gourmet Rocket & Spinach are the mains ones to watch this week- quality, supply and price. Rocket will be short due to poor weather down south.
Prime Products are Artichokes, Beans - Broad, Borlotti, Continental & Green, Broccolini, Cauliflowers, Celery, Eggplant, Cos and Iceberg Lettuce, Button Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes & Zucchini.
News from WA: Bumper Truffle crop expect this coming season, peaking in July!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Bethonga Pineapple (QLD) * Californian Dates (Import) * Granny Smith Apples- med (VIC) * Kiwifruit- bulk buy (VIC) * Mandarin (QLD)
Vegetable: Baby Broccoli (VIC) * Button Mushrooms (NSW) * Celeriac (NSW) * Silverbeet (NSW)- Sweet Potato - lge (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Feijoas (NSW) * Longans (Import) * Mangoes (Import) * Pears - Beuure Bosc (VIC) * Pears - Honey(VIC)
Vegetable: Baby Dutch Carrot (NSW) * Baby Globe Artichoke (NSW) * Habanero Chili- HOT (NSW) * Honeycomb - full frame (QLD) * Portabello Mushroom (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Red Witlof
Not Available: Baby Red Capsicum * Green Mangoes * Oyster Mushroom- Pink * Oyster Mushroom- Yellow
PUTTING ON A SHOW
“If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples, then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” Bernard Shaw
While Bernard Shaw has been dead for over 60 years and was Irish to boot, this quote could not be more relevant to the Food Service industry in Australia.
As far as industries go, Food Service has to be one of the most competitive, dynamic and unpredictable. It demands constant self-appraisal and reinvention with little room for error. At a time when margins are so tight that it makes running a profitable restaurant nigh on impossible, I can’t help but think that it will be our ability to work together as a ‘food community’ and share knowledge/ideas that will propel the industry forward.
With this in mind, Simon George & Sons invites you to join us at the FOOD SERVICE AUSTRALIA event being held at the Royal Hall of Industries, Moore Pk between Sunday, 27th May and Tuesday 29th May, 2012. Food Service Australia is a show dedicated to the Food Service industry; where everyone from producers to chefs can come to network, be inspired and find products and services relevant to their business needs.
For our part, Simon George & Sons will be hosting a killer stand at the event! You will find us in the thick of the action, halfway between the Restaurant and Chef theatres. Come join us for a chat about our speciality lines, processing plant and online ordering or simply come recharge the batteries and enjoy some fresh produce.
While you’re at it, why not enter ‘Chef of the Year 2012’ and take home $10,000 prize money! Won by Nicolas Poelaert from Embrasse in 2011, ‘Chef of the Year’ sees Australia’s best battling to create three knockout dishes from a ‘black box’ of ingredients in just one hour. As a sponsor of ‘Chef of the Year’ in 2012, Simon George & Sons is looking forward to seeing the wonderful talent of Australia’s chefs on show. Entries close tomorrow, click here to enter or find out more.
To join us in trading ideas and apples Food Service professionals can register at www.foodserviceaustralia.com.au
We hope to see you there.
BUYER'S GUIDE: 1st May - 7th May
It is a good market this week due to supply still outweighing demand for most of the main lines.
PROBLEMS: Rockmelons * Honeydews * Strawberries * Watermelons * Roma Tomatoes
SOLUTIONS: Bananas * Grapes * Kiwifruit * Mandarins * Pineapples * Tomatoes (small)
We are starting to see an increase in Winter lines at the markets and if the weather holds we should have a great winter 'fresh produce' wise. Also worth a mention, as of last week, 90% of Australia's growing regions are classified drought free. Amen!
FRUIT:
Everything except stonefruit, melons (all) and straweberries are in good supply, good eating and well priced.
Apples, Pears, Avocadoes, New Season Navel Oranges, Mandarins, Pineapples, Quinces, Pomegranates and imported mangoes are the picks of the week.
VEGETABLES:
Just Roma Tomatoes, Cherry Truss and Shiso Leaf are the main ones to watch out for this week, otherwise it's a green light from Artichokes to Zucchinis.
Beetroot, Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Continental Cucumbers, Leeks, Sweet Potatoes, Swedes, Butternut Pumpkin and Zucchini are the veggie picks.
NB: New Season Australian Truffles will be available early June. Let the fun begin.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Bethonga Pineapple * Delicious Apples -med (VIC) * Grapefruit - Marsh (QLD) * Mandarin (QLD) * Pomegranate (NSW)
Vegetable: Beetroot - large (TAS) * Celeriac (NSW) * Leek - large (VIC) * Sweet Potato - large (QLD) * Zucchini - green (VIC)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Mango (Imported) * Mangosteen (Imported) * Papaya- green/cooking (QLD) * Quince (QLD)
Vegetable: Baby Globe Atichokes (NSW) * Baby Purple Carrots (NSW) * Roman (continental) Beans (NSW) * Red Witlof (VIC) * Tomato- Bella Rossa (NSW) * Tomato - Heirloom Mix (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Cherry Truss Tomatoes * Longan
Not Available: Broad Bean * Rambutan * Shiso Leaf
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 24th Apr - 30th Apr
Some movement on Asian and Exotic produce lines, with early Mexican Mangoes arriving at the markets as well as short supply on some exotic fruits:
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Kachay * Tamarind
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Longan * Mango * Mangosteen * Tamarillo (gold)* Tamarillo (red)
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Cumquats * Green Mangoes * Loquats * Lychee * Red Pomellos * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 24th Apr - 30th Apr
Thankfully the wet has not had the expected negative affect on quality and supply this week, so the markets are performing much as they have for the last fortnight. Main items to watch out for are Melons (quality and price on all lines) and Tomatoes (just the quality- not at their best).
Fruit:
Clean slate and plenty to chose from. Stonefruit is O V E R. Imported Mexican Mangoes are on market this week as are the last of the late variety Brooks Mangoes. Blueberries are up in price, with supply shortening. As for the rest clear sailing!
Vegetables:
Just a few items to watch. Asparagus (price), Butter beans (quality and price), Yellow Capsicums & Gold Squash (price), Sweet Corn (price- as we move from local to QLD supply) and Cauliflowers (quality not a problem, just hold in price again this week). As for the rest, it's good to go.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Bethonga Pineapple (QLD) * Grapes - red seedless (VIC)* Mandarin (QLD) * Oranges - juicing No2 (NSW) * Strawberries - medium (VIC)
Vegetables:
Baby Dutch Carrot (NSW) * Broccoli (VIC) * Celery (VIC) * Leek - large (VIC) * Kipfler Potatoes (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit:
Corella Pears (NSW) * Feijoa (NSW) * Mangosteen (QLD) * Papaya - green/cooking (QLD) * Quince (QLD)
Vegetables:
Baby Globe Artichokes (NSW) * Baby Gold Beetroot (NSW) * Roman Beans- aka Continental (NSW) * Savoy Cabbage (NSW) * Tuscan Cabbage (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Bella Rossa Tomatoes * Longans
Not Available:
Broad Beans * Nectarines * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 17th Apr - 23rd Apr
Market update on Asian and Exotic produce lines:
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Kachay * Tamarind
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Tamarillo (gold)* Tamarillo (red)
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Cumquats * Green Mangoes * Loquats * Lychee * Red Pomellos * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 17th Apr- 23rd Apr
Another good week, much the same as the last. Main problem items Rockmelons, Honeydews & Seedless Watermelons.
Fruit:
Apples, Pears, New Season Hass Avocados, Bananas, Feijoas, Figs, Guavas, Grapes, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mandarins, Papaws & Pineapples. On the move up in price but still great quality are Blueberries, Strawberries, Oranges and Passionfruit. Bye Bye to Peaches & Nectarines and Plums in another week.
Vegetables:
Artichokes, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, All Cabbage, Eggplant, Fennel, Leeks, Iceberg & Cos Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Spuds & Zucchini. Tomatoes holding price and quality. Moving up in price - Broccoli, Cauliflowers & Gold Squash.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Delicious Apples - med (VIC) * Fig Tray (NSW) * Grapes - red seedless (VIC)* Kiwifruit (VIC) * Mandarin (QLD)
Vegetables:
Celery (VIC) * Globe Artichoke (NSW) * Iceberg Lettuce (VIC) * Leek - large (VIC) * Mushrooms - cup (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Chestnuts (VIC)
Fruit:
New Season Avocado (QLD) * New Season Pink Lady apples (NSW) * Mangosteen (QLD) * Papaya - green/cooking (QLD) * New Season Quince (QLD) * Tamarillos- red (NSW)
Vegetables:
Baby Gold Beetroot (NSW) * Horseradish (SA) * Jicama aka Water yam (QLD)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Broad Beans * Butter Bean - yellow
Not Available:
Nectarine * Peach * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 11th Apr - 16th Apr
After better weather over the past few weeks the markets are looking brighter!! Only items still heavily affected are melons (price and quality) and tomatoes (more quality than price). Supply is up on demand, which has levelled the market and eased prices across the board
Fruit:
Farewell to Peaches and Nectarines, followed by Mangoes and Plums, over the next week or so. Best buying is still Apples, Pears and Bananas.
Plenty of variety on offer: Figs, Grapes (Red, Black & White), Lemons & Limes, New season Mandarins, Papaya, Passionfruit, Pineapples, Dragonfruit, Quinces, Strawberries and Tamarillo’s- all good quality with prices to suit.
Vegetables:
The trucks are full!! The cool, drier weather has brought on the staples and lifted quality. Think... Artichokes, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Cabbage, Asian Bunch Veg, Eggplant, Horseradish, Leeks, Cos & Iceberg lettuce, Mushrooms, Salads Mix’s, Swedes, Turnips, Sweet Corn, Spuds & Onions, all Pumpkins varieties and Zucchini.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Corella Pears (VIC) * Delicious Apples - med (VIC) * Fig Tray (NSW) * Pineapple (QLD) * Strawberries - extra large (VIC)
Vegetables:
Bean - green (QLD) * Butternut Pumpkin (NSW) * Celeriac (QLD) * Brussel Sprouts (VIC) * Leek - large (VIC) * Mushroom - cup (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Chestnuts (VIC)
Fruit:
Mandarins (QLD) * New Season Quince (QLD) * Tamarillo -red (NSW) *
Vegetables:
Fennel Bulb - large (VIC) * Galangal (QLD) * Globe Artichoke (NSW) * Horseradish (SA) * Jicama aka Water Yam (QLD) * Wild Pine Mushrooms (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Honeydew Melon * Bella Rossa Tomatoes
End of Season:
Nectarines * Peaches
Not Available:
Green Peas (fresh)
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics - 3rd Apr-10th Apr
Market update on Asian and Exotic produce lines:
Asian Vegetables: Expensive
Thai Basil
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Een Choy * Gai Choy * Ong Choy * Thai Eggplant * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Kachay * Tamarind
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Rambutan * Tamarillo (red)
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Cumquats * Green Mangoes * Loquats * Lychee * Red Pomellos * Tamarillo (gold) * Tangelos
BUYER'S GUIDE: 3rd Apr-10th Apr
The Market is looking ok for Easter Week with just a few items still in recovery mode from the wet weather- these include Melons (quality and price) and Avocados, Cos & Iceberg Lettuce (price).
Fruit:
NB. Nectarines and Peaches are all but done, quality is below par and eating quality and shelf life is limited.
As for the rest of the tribe all good and in most cases pricing is lower. Strawberry quality is sound, just up in price which is the usual for this time of the year.
Apples, Pears Bananas, Figs, Grapes, Pineapples, Pomegranates & Quinces are all good buying.
New Season Mandarins are in, but we recommend holding off for another week as they are eating on the dryer side.
Vegetables:
Looking good for the week as well. Big list to chose from, Asparagus, Beans Green, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflowers, Carrots, Celery, Eggplant, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Asian Veg etc etc.......
Tomatoes holding across the range but showing signs of the weather in terms of quality.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Fig Tray (NSW) * Grapes - green seedless (VIC) * Packham Pears - green (VIC) * Pawpaw - yellow (QLD) * Pineapple (QLD)
Vegetables:
Asparagus - medium (Imported) * Bean - green (QLD) * Brussel Sprouts (VIC) * Eggplant (NSW) * Sweet Potato - large (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
New Season Chestnuts (VIC)
Fruit:
Blood Oranges (Imported) * Papaya - green/cooking (QLD) * New Season Quince (QLD)
Vegetables:
Baby Asparagus (Imported) * Baby Endive Lettuce (QLD) * Habanero Chillies (NSW) * Horseradish (SA) * Jicama aka Water Yam (QLD) * Wild Pine Mushrooms (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply :
Bella Rossa Tomatoes
End of Season:
Nectarines * Peaches
Not Available:
Baby Gold Beetroot * Green Peas (fresh)