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
MARKET 5: SPECIALTY PRODUCE
Q: Are Warrigal Greens an all-Australian speciality?
Having worked on premium food magazines for much of the last decade, I am fully able to appreciate the overwhelming momentum of the ‘foodie culture’ here in Australia. Whether you put it down to the rise of the ‘Celebrity Chef’, industry efforts to make great food more accessible or the influence of stunning food publications (think Gourmet Traveller, Vogue E&T, delicious) there is no doubt that Australian cuisine now boasts a definite gourmet leaning. The average Australian is much more adventurous in the kitchen, preparing dishes at home that demand complicated prep and obscure produce previously only braved by the professionals. So to put you on the front foot with these increasingly discerning foodies, this week we are profiling ‘specialty produce’ items, which being a little off beat, present a fantastic opportunity to create something truly different and special this Spring.
SALTBUSH: aka Old Man Saltbush
A native plant previously used by indigenous Australians for its seeds (which were ground and roasted for making damper), this hardy shrub has taken on a new dimension in modern cuisine. Through careful selection and production in hothouses the bitter, wild plant used for rejuvenating land and grazing has been replaced by a much more user-friend large leaf variety.
Availability: all year
Use: blanch or use fresh as a salad leaf, stir-fry vegetable or similarly to a banana leaf
Supply: hits markets on Thursdays- production/supply steady and good quality
Health factor: good source of protein, mineral salts, antioxidants and calcium
JACKFRUIT:
Originally from South Western India, the Jackfruit is the national fruit of both Bangladesh and Indonesia. The largest of all cultivated fruits it is renowned for its distinctively sweet aroma and flesh. While also enjoyed as an immature fruit, the jackfruit is at its best when its prickly skin softens and its characteristic sweet aroma comes through.
Availability: Jun - Apr
Use: lovely fresh, but can also be cooked (often used in SE Asian curries). The seeds are edible and when baked taste a little like chestnuts. Immature fruit is a healthy, meat substitute for vegetarians due to its texture.
Supply: quality & supply is currently good, however it’s worth noting that Jackfruit are generally a more expensive item
Health factor: free of cholesterol and saturated fats, jackfruit is a good source of energy, dietary fibre, minerals and vitamins
BETEL LEAVES: aka Wild Betel Leaf, Pepper Leaf, Cha Plu
Heralding from the same family as pepper and kava, betel leaves are used widely in South East Asian cuisine. With its bold, peppery aroma and delicate flavour it is a wonderful herb that is both visually appealing and delicious.
Availability: all year, best in warmer months
Use: South East Asian cuisine- raw in salads, cooked in stir-fries, soups, meat dishes (used as a wrap)
Supply: Australian crops are grown in QLD the rest is imported- currently looking good across quality, supply and price
Health factor: good source of protein, potassium, nitrogen and minerals
WARRIGAL GREENS: aka Australian Spinach, tetragon
Another native plant worth a look, the warrigal green is grown along the East Coast of Australia and is a fantastic substitute for your more common greens such as silverbeet or spinach. While it tastes very similar to spinach when blanched, it has a slight salty, bitter edge that gives dishes a new dimension.
Availability: all year round, but as with all leaf lines poor weather may potentially slow supply
Use: blanch (2-3mins) before use due to high oxalate content, thenuse in dishes/sides where you would usually feature spinach, silverbeet or Asian greens
Supply: hits markets on Thursdays- production/supply steady and good quality
Health factor: a nutritional value similar to other leafy greens it also has anti-inflammatory properties and can prevent stomach ulcers
CHESTNUTS:
While they may not be mysterious or unknown, their reputation for being difficult to prepare has meant chestnuts haven’t garnered the attention they deserve from home-cooks. The quality of the fresh chestnuts being produced in Australia at the moment is fantastic and with the season predicted to last another 6-8 weeks, why not take full advantage this Spring.
Availability: traditional season Mar - June
Use: soups, stir-fries, cakes, salads, stuffing
Supply: quality & price holding steady with the season ending in 6-8 weeks
Health factor: no cholesterol, low in sodium and fat. Good source of mineral salts, vitamins C, B1, B2 and folate.
A: Unfortunately not, Warrigal Greens are also native to New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Japan and some parts of South America. While native to Australia and NZ, it is believed that the Aboriginals and Maori didn’t use Warrigal Greens as a leaf vegetable like we do today, rather this trend was started by Captain Cook and the first settlers who popularised it use due to its ready availability and ability to prevent scurvy.
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
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: 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
FROM THE EARTH
Q: What is a corm and how does it differ from a bulb?
With August comes Winter’s last hurrah; the skies get clearer, the days warmer and the heart warming casseroles, sausages, roasts and stews begin to give way to fresher, lighter dishes. So, before the turn of the seasons calls for lighter, healthier Spring menus- why not make the most of the earthy, rustic flavour (and the cost-efficiency) of this season’s bulbs, roots, tubers and corms.
CELERIAC: aka Celery Root
Classification: root
Availability: all year, best Mar – late Sept
Market Update: quality is currently good and price steady
Appearance: creamy brown, knobby tuber with white flesh
Flavour: rich texture & slightly smoky flavour – cross between celery and parsley
Preparation: don’t wash until use, peel tough outer layer. Think remoulade, soups, chips, or as a side (boiled, steamed, mashed). Raw they are often grated in salads (use lemon to prevent discolouration after cutting)
Health Benefits: good source of dietary fibre and Vit C
FENNEL:
Classification: bulb
Availability: generally Mar- Nov, best Jul-Sept
Market Update: large fennel bulbs are one of our best buys this week- good supply, good quality and well priced
Appearance: firm, crisp white- light green bulb made up of overlapping stems
Flavour: light, slightly sweet aniseed flavour
Preparation: every part of a fennel plant is edible. The leaves have a stronger flavour
Health Benefits: good source of fibre, Vit C, folate, potassium, manganese and beta-carotene as well as phytochemicals and flavonoids
BABY FENNEL:
Classification: bulb
Availability: Mar – Sept
Market Update: Supply and quality good- prices fair
Appearance: small fennel bulbs
Flavour: slightly richer aniseed flavour than regular fennel. Leaves are stronger, base is sweeter and less pungent
Preparation: both leaves and base are edible. Fantastic in Mediterranean dishes, they are compatible with sweet and salty flavours. Think salads, soups, casseroles, fish dishes
Health Benefits: good source of fibre, Vit C, folate, potassium, manganese and beta-carotene as well as phytochemicals and flavonoids
GARLIC:
Classification: bulb
Availability: local season: October-May
Market Update: good supply and quality, currently imported from Mexico, Argentina and China
Appearance: vary in colour from white to pink to purple
Flavour: distinctive, pungent and aromatic
Preparation: preparation technique heavily influences the garlic experience. Break down the cells more and you get a more intense flavour (i.e. crushed is much more intense than slicing)
Health Benefits: natural antibiotic, also assists in management of blood pressure & cholesterol
JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE:
Classification: tuber
Availability: best June – Sept
Market Update: steady supply and quality good, prices at standard levels
Appearance: light brown skin, crisp white flesh
Flavour: nutty, rich, sweet
Preparation: can be eaten raw or cooked as per other tubers ( baked, chipped in soups, salads, stir-fries). Once peeled coat with lemon water to prevent browning
Health Benefits: suitable for diabetics and large amounts of iron, good source of dietary fibre provides some folate and potassium
ONIONS:
Classification: bulb
Availability: all year
Market Update: brown onions are great buying at the moment, quality, supply & price good across all lines
Health Benefits: rich in antioxidants, red varieties are also good sources of Vit C and dietary fibre
BROWN:
Appearance: golden brown skin with cream white flesh
Flavour: strong onion flavour
Best use: retains flavour under heat therefore great for cooking
RED: sometimes called Spanish onions
Appearance: red-purple skin with white, red-streaked flesh
Flavour: sweeter than brown, can still have a pungent onion flavour
Preparation: raw in salads or cooked
WHITE:
Appearance: white skin and flesh
Flavour: mild onion flavour
Preparation: raw in salads or cooked
SALAD ONIONS: red or white
Appearance: immature small bulbs on a green stem
Flavour: mild, sweet onion
Preparation: the salad onion
BLACK SALSIFY: aka black oyster plant
Classification: root
Availability: generally all year, best autumn/winter
Market Update: quality good, price steady
Appearance: long, slim root with black bark like skin and white flesh
Flavour: creamy, earthy taste some compare to oyster or artichoke
Preparation: wear gloves to avoid staining hands, peel then coat immediately with lemon/vinegar water to prevent browning (often easier just to peel after boiling then prepare as desired).
Health Benefits: particularly good for diabetics, good source of fibre, manganese, potassium, riboflavin, Vit B6 & C
TARO:
Classification: corm
Availability: different for each variety but usually best May-Aug
Market Update: good quality available and prices steady
Appearance/Flavour/Preparation: for more information on Taro varieties click here
Health Benefits: 3 times the dietary fibre of potatoes, low GI, excellent source of potassium, good amounts of Vit A & C, as well as some calcium and magnesium
To find information on more root and tuber varieties- such as ginger, galangal, jicama, horseradish – click here or explore our blog- www.sgssydney.com.
A: A corm is an underground, swollen stem that houses a plant’s food stores allowing it to endure periods of shortage (such as winter). While they may appear strikingly similar to their bulbous comrades, corms are very different internally- being made up of tissue housed in a thick skin (called a tunic) in contrast to the layered structure of modified leaves seen in a true bulb. If you’re ever in doubt cut it open, a corm will be solid inside whereas a bulb will have discernable layers. Interestingly, bananas are a corm- often mistaken for a tree, banana fruit is actually produced on a pseudostem, which.. you guessed it… grows from a corm.
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: 31st Jul - 6th Aug
The overall market is in winter mode and will hold like this for the next few weeksThis will change once the weather warms up in QLD, which is usually around August.
FRUIT: Market Overview
- Ones to watch out for are the melons: Water, Seedless, Rocks & Honeydew. We will see a change by week's end as the NT season kicks in and supply increases however price is expected to remain in the 'high' zone
- Bananas are up slightly due to the cold temp up North
- Local grapes are on the way out- Seeded Black still good buying, Seedless Red & White are now New Season Imported USA fruit
- Citrus is in full swing- Lemon and Limes slightly up, Blood Oranges, Ruby Grapefruit and Oranges- great quality, good eating and priced to suit
VEG: Market Overview
- The cooler temperatures up North are slowing supply on the following lines this week and prices are up; Beans, Green Capsicums, Lebanese Cucumbers, Celery, all Pumpkin, all Tomatoes (ripened fruit hard to source) and Zucchini.
- Picks for the week: Beetroot, Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Carrots, Celeriac, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Silverbeet and Spuds.
- Also most gourmet salad lines are back to normal supply and price
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Grapes - black seeded (VIC) * Ruby Grapefruit (QLD) * Kiwifruit (NZ) * Mandarins (QLD) * Persimmon (Imp- NZ)
Vegetable: Baby Fennel- bulb (NSW) * Brussel Sprouts (NSW) * Celeriac (VIC) * Portabello Mushroom (NSW) * Sugarsnap Peas (Imp)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Buddha Hands (QLD) * Cumquats (QLD) * Grapes- green seedless (Imp- USA) * Green Mangoes (QLD)
Vegetable: Borlotti Beans (QLD) * Choi Sum (NSW) * Jicama aka Water Chestnut (QLD) * Namenko Mushroom (NSW) * Red Banana Capsicum (QLD) * Shimeji Mushroom (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Butter Bean - yellow * Guava- cooking
Expensive: Honeydew (expensive) * Rockmelon (expensive)
End of Season: Quince
Not Available: Chestnut Mushroom * Baby Ginger
BUYER'S GUIDE: 24th Jul - 30th Jul
With the market as erratic as the recent weather along the Eastern Seaboard, here is our guide to produce for this week:
FRUIT: Market Overview
- Apples and Pears have stepped up in price, quality and supply no problems.
- Navel Oranges, Grapefruit and Lemons all travelling well, limes holding, Mandarins have firmed due to changing varieties and weather.
- Bananas are affected due to cold nights and wet weather in QLD. Sizing is medium to large.
- Rockmelons & Honeydews are still in short supply and up in price for quality.
- QLD Strawberries have been affected by the weather. Supplies holding with some quality issues.
- All Pineapples have been severely affected due the cold and wet weather, will be the same for the next few weeks.
- Kiwifruits, Pawpaw & Papaya are good eating, well supplied and priced to suit.
- USA cherries excellent quality and good buying
- Figs are in short supply and expensive
- For something different, Cumquats and Buddha hands
- Dried Muscatels are at the end of the season NA
VEG: Market Overview
- Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Iceberg & Cos on the buy list for the week. Quality and price, good to go!
- Gourmet salads, Spinach, Rocket & Mesclun still on the watch list for the next few weeks. Supply limited and quality is ok, prices holding.
- Green & Butter Beans are on the short list, quality is a problem.
- Eggplant, Squash and Zucchini have been affected due to cold snaps and rain, will remain short for the next couple of weeks.
- All pumpkin varieties on the increase.
- All Spuds are in full swing- good buying and great quality.
- Something Different- Broad & Borletti beans & Fennel!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Blood Oranges (QLD) *Cherries (Imp- US) * Corella Pears (VIC) * Kiwifruit - bulk (Imp- NZ) * Paw Paw - yellow (QLD)
Vegetable: Broad Beans (NSW) * Broccoli (QLD) * Cauliflower (QLD) * Fennel Bulb- large (VIC) * Iceberg Lettuce (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Buddha Hands (QLD) * Carambola- aka Starfruit (QLD) * Cumquats (QLD) * Dragon Fruit- yellow (QLD)
Vegetable: Borlotti Bean (QLD) * Broad Beans (NSW) * Namenko Mushroom (NSW) * Red Witlof (VIC) * Radicchio Lettuce (NSW) * Russet Burbank Potatoes (TAS)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Chestnut Mushrooms * Pineapple (expensive) * Rockmelon
Not Available: Asparagus - jumbo * Butter Bean - yellow * Muscatel Grapes - dried
BUYER'S GUIDE: 17th Jul - 23rd Jul
Due to extreme weather patterns over the last 6-8 weeks many lines of fresh produce have been heavily affected. The wet weather experienced before winter delayed plantings, this was followed by extended cool nights, frosts and then more heavy rain.
FRUIT: Market Overview
- Apples and Pears will be unaffected due to the majority of fruit coming out of cold storage
- Citrus fruits (incl. Navel Oranges, Grapefruit and Lemons) are unaffected, yet limes will be firm. Mandarins will be firm due to changing varieties more so than weather
- Avocados and Bananas are affected mostly due to the cold nights rather than the wet . Sizing will remain small and skin dull in colour
- Melons are adversely affected due to the cold nights and rain. NT Honeydew and Rocks are due to start at the end of this week- 19/20 July
- Strawberries have been affected, quality concerns expect
- Pineapples and Bethonga have been severely affected due to lack of sun, cold weather, rain and the inability of growers to pick. Pineapples will be extremely short supply for the next 2-3 weeks
- Blueberries and raspberries are also affected and will remain expensive for the next couple of weeks
VEG: Market Overview
- Wet lines such as iceberg, Cos and celery should be ok. Broccoli has shortened mainly due to the cold. Cauliflowers will have issues
- Salad lines have been severely affected. Rocket is very difficult to get, and Mesclun and baby Spinach have increased in price. These lines will be short for the next 2-3 weeks
- Capsicum have been affected- reds and yellows will have some quality issues. Pricing is stable
- All cabbage lines have been affected due to the inability for farmers to get to the fields to pick. Prices will rise sharply but not for long.
- Beans and Corn have issues in quality and supply. Good beans will be scarce and expensive. Due to the rains, corn hasn’t been sprayed and we are expected to find grubs
- Eggplant, Squash and Zucchini have been affected due to the cold and rain and will remain short for the next couple of weeks
- Cucumbers are good and have not suffered much
- All pumpkin varieties have been affected, especially Jap and Butternut. Theses lines will be in short supply for 3-4 more weeks
- Snow peas and snaps have been affected but pricing remains reasonable
- All Chinese vegetables have been adversely affected. There is planting gaps from previous rain falls. Short supply is another issue.
- Fancy lettuces are smaller in size and in short supply
- Herbs – Basil , chives , mint have been affected but these lines are quick to recover
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Avocado (QLD) * Kiwifruit - bulk (Imp- NZ) * Oranges - large (QLD) * Panama Passionfruit (QLD)
Vegetable: Broad Beans (NSW) * Celery (VIC) * Parsnip * Telegraph Cucumber (SA) * Russett Burbank Potato (TAS)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Cherries (Imp-US) * Blood Oranges (QLD) * Green Mangoes (NT) * Pomello (QLD) * Red Papaya (QLD) * Tamarillo - red (WA)
Vegetable: Borlotti Bean (QLD) * Namenko Mushroom (NSW) * Red Witlof (VIC)
Other: Black Truffles (WA- New Season)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Butter bean- yellow * Chestnut Mushrooms
Short Supply & Expensive: Mesclun Lettuce * Pineapple * Wild Rocket
Expensive: Rockmelon