Market report August 2017
Generally fruit and vegetable prices have eased again this month. Cold weather has impacted the volume of supply but this has not flowed onto pricing.
Some of the local produce from the Mackay region includes limes, kent pumpkin, sweet corn, garlic, smooth leaf and hybrid pineapples, herbs, salad mix and fancy lettuce.
The Burdekin, Gumlu and Bowen regions are producing a wide range of produce.
This includes:
red, green, yellow and orange capsicums,
round beans and flat beans
honeydew melons and rock melons,
continental, purple and thai apple eggplant.
Tomato lines from these areas include:
field gourmet tomatoes,
egg tomatoes,
red cherry tomatoes,
cherry truss tomatoes,
certified organic gourmet tomatoes.
Watermelons from the Burdekin region should be starting again in the second week of September.
Avocados are expensive and in short supply. Grapes are being imported from America as the Australian supply comes to an end. Market agents have also started to import lemons from America.
Strawberries, pineapples, mandarins, pawpaw, kiwifruit and rockmelons are good value for money. The banana price is still firm.
There are many good buys in the vegetable lines. These include cabbage, cauliflower, snow peas, pumpkin, zucchini, eggplant, and broccoli. Green cucumbers and celery are firming in price. Red chillies are expensive.
Dean from New Reefs Hydroponics has added watercress to the range of produce he supplies us. He's been getting good feedback on this line. Flat beans from Allan and Tracey Brackley of Bowen have been eating well with great flavour.
Look for local and regional produce when you shop. When you're at a restaurant or cafe don't forget to ask where the produce comes from. Support your local and regional farmers and help to build a resilient community for us all.
Regards Steve Schmidt
Vegies Unlimited
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