Dave's Market Update - 22.07.2014

IN FRUIT

At the markets this week the cold weather here and interstate continues to create supply issues for retailers. Citrus particularly oranges continue to be very good value and we have specials in most shops in either cases or 3kg nets. We have been a little disappointed with the early blood oranges (from Queensland) which are never quite as good to eat as the southern fruit. I am recommending Cara Cara oranges whilst we wait for the bloods to get underway. They are of the navel family, quite large fruit and make fabulous juice. Some of our stores will have these on special over the next two weeks. Like many relatively new fruits these were discovered by accident, in this case in Venezuela about 40 years ago. They are fantastic with cheese, seafood and in salads. In some ways they eat more like a sweet grapefruit then an orange. Five or six years ago we did not have figs from about mid June until late October unless we imported them from overseas. The fruit proved to be too delicate for this to be successful. Now we have fantastic figs from central and north Queensland in this time slot and this week a few more than usual and they are nearly at summer prices. Avocados remain very good value - small sizes particularly. I am strongly recommending our 500g and 1kg prepacks as the best value.

IN VEGETABLE

Not a lot of good news on the vegetable front. Best bargains are in potatoes and onions which are all fantastic quality keeping very well and cheaper than they have been over the last few months.