Just as bitterly cold temperatures might cause us to long for spring, many produce lines are also protesting, with slower growth rates meaning reduced supplies.
In fruit, banana production has slowed due to cold weather and prices will rise accordingly. Expect banana skins to go black more quickly due to dehydration and burn from the cold.
Raspberries are in short supply and will be hard to find, while Granny Smith apples and smaller sized pre-packed apples are also becoming more expensive.
Good buys this week include honeydew melon, lemons, limes, oranges, passionfruit, winter varieties of pineapple, and rockmelon.
Winter strawberries are still in good supply, and blueberry prices have dropped and are eating better every week.
Make the most of the great quality avocados on the shelves at the moment — they’re the cheapest they’ve been for a long time, but prices will be heading north come August.
Local watermelon is out of season, so supplies are arriving from the Northern Territory. The extra travel might mean some slight bruising on the fruit, but quality is good.
Vegies suffering in the cold weather include chillies, lettuce, zucchini, capsicum, and cucumbers.
While we have an excellent supply of broccoli and cauliflower, these brassica are firming in price. Supplies of eggplant and corn are also easing.
Pumpkins and sweet potatoes are thriving in the colder weather, so it’s a great time to be stocking up on all varieties for roasts, soups, and curries.
We’ve also got a fantastic supply of green beans coming out of Bowen and Gympie.
Other in-season vegetables to look out for this week include tomatoes from Bundaberg, ginger, peas, rhubarb, shallots, snow peas, spring onions, and potatoes.
This week’s top pick is the Orange Candy melon, a new variety of melon released this year. With its name hinting at its super-sweet flavour, this melon is bright yellow on the outside and pale yellow/orange on the inside. Sliced Orange Candy melon makes a popular lunchbox addition, or slice and wrap in prosciutto for a twist on the classic Italian appetiser.
You can buy the best of what the season has to offer at your nearest Your Local Fruit Shop. Go to www.yourlocalfruitshop.com.au to locate your closest store. Check out the Your Local Fruit Shop Facebook page for the latest news from your local fresh produce experts at https://www.facebook.com/yourlocalfruitshop
Brisbane Produce Market
Note: HTML is not translated!