Brisbane Market Report 285

Brisbane Produce Report – 5 November

  November 5, 2021  adonaldson

As Queensland’s growing regions heat up, we’re seeing more southern produce this week including apricots and cherries. Yes, you heard it right it’s that time of the year to start to cherish the moment!

Cherries are at the start of their season coming from Orange in NSW, so prices will come down over the next few weeks as more supplies kick in from Victoria, South Australia and eventually Tasmania.  Although it’s early season they are of reasonably good quality.

The Queensland strawberry season has nearly finished but new supplies are arriving from Western Australia and Victoria.  New season blackberries are also in stock, and blueberries are still plentiful and of good quality. We are also seeing the first of Queensland’s grapes and mangoes arriving in the market from Bowen, Mareeba and Townsville.

In the citrus range, the last of the mandarins are arriving in dribs and drabs, limes and lemon are getting more expensive as supply is limited. In addition, the navel orange season will be coming to an end in a few weeks, but seedless Valencias have started to arrive and supply, quality and pricing will only get better.

The supply of bananas and red pawpaws coming from up north is plentiful and provide great buying. For a pick-me-up snack, try creamy cavendish bananas loaded with nutrients.  Pair them up with peanut butter and oats to make smoothies or create protein bars.

Stone fruit season has commenced and we are also seeing more locally-grown varieties of donut peaches and golden queen peaches coming from Gatton and nectarines coming from Kumbia in Queensland’s South Burnett region.

In the green vegetable lines, we are now seeing a shift in supply from Northern Queensland to Southern Victoria for items such as green beans, broccoli, snow peas, sugar snaps making them dearer than normal, but asparagus is reasonably priced and of good quality — look for firm, bright green stalks with firmly closed tips.  Store in the fridge for up to a few days, ensuring the ends of the stems don’t dry out by wrapping in damp paper towel.

Tomatoes coming from South Australia are of good quality and priced at a premium.  However, truss tomatoes are arriving from Coffs Harbor in NSW and are a great alternative and reasonably priced.  For the best flavour eat them at room temperature.  Plus, truss tomatoes go well with basil, parsley, garlic, capsicum, sea salt, black pepper, goats cheese, red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

This week’s top pick is the continental cucumber, the ultimate refreshing summer vegetable.  Look for firm, dark green cucumbers without blemishes or soft spots and store in the fridge.  For a simple side to accompany fish, sprinkle sliced cucumbers with sea salt and chopped fresh herbs.  Cucumber also stars in many salads and refreshing drink recipes – play around with adding ingredients like dill, mint, mustard seeds or simply infuse it with lemon in your daily water intake.

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