Grapes of all varieties, as well as Victorian plums, are the best of March's early autumn produce, according to traders at Melbourne Market, Victoria's wholesale fruit, vegetable, and cut flower trading centre.
Tomatoes are now in consistently good supply, thanks to fruit from South Australia resuming after the tomato brown rugose fruit virus affected supply last year.
Severe weather conditions in Queensland have impacted Cavendish bananas, which are more expensive than usual as a result, however, Ducasse varieties sourced from Coffs Harbour have been in good supply.
Grapes of all colours - green, red, and black - from Victoria are in abundance and keenly priced. Third-generation Mildura grape producer and Melbourne Market wholesaler Don Campisi says Victorian grapes are at their peak now and will remain in excellent quality throughout autumn.
"A good frost in winter, coupled with plenty of November sunshine, has produced a bumper grape crop this season. We are expecting to keep seeing good fruit until about June, which is later than last year," said Don. "This March, look out for our Thompson, Crimson, Natural Sultana, Crispy Dream, and Crunchy Pop varieties which are all eating really well. The dark Crispy Dreams variety is sweet, seedless with a lovely crunch."
The end of the Tasmanian berry season is approaching and the Western Australian supply will be coming into the market over the next four weeks.
The last Victorian peaches and nectarines will also hit the shelves over the next week or two, but Paul Angelucci from Melbourne Market wholesaler VFS Produce says plenty of plums are still available from across Victoria, including Swan Hill, Shepparton and Cobram.
"Look out for the Amber Jewell and Honey Punch varieties as well as the classic red and black plums," he says.
For more information:
Dan Stock
Tel: +61 403 953 351
[email protected]
