Fresh Produce Report 11 July

There are still some bargain vegetables on the shelves with onions, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, capsicum, cauliflower and celery of great quality and affordable.

However, Asian vegetables, beans, zucchini and snow peas have firmed in price, and although value for money now, the cost of broccoli is expected to rise over the next week. Fennel is moderately priced.

Try new season globe artichokes that will

be green, purple or bronze in colour, by choosing tight, compact, heavy heads that yield slightly to pressure.

Tomatoes have dropped in price but are on the price rise again. Avocados and shallots are firm in price.

Cucumbers are great quality and cheap and all green leafy salad mix and lettuce varieties are value for money.

Look for small fruit when buying cavendish or lady finger bananas this week. Popular pink lady apples cost more but the delicious apple has dropped in price and all other varieties are good quality and cheap.

It is your last opportunity to eat custard apples for the season.  Figs, raspberries, blueberries, seedless watermelon and average quality rockmelons are expensive. Papaw and passionfruit have also jumped up in price.

Citrus, with the exception of limes, are of great value for money, with the new season valencia oranges and hickson mandarins cheap and tasty. Pears are great value for money.

Queensland strawberries are becoming more plentiful and are moderately priced. Pineapples are a mixed bag of quality and prices, so choose ones that have fresh-looking base leaves, a sweet aroma and that have no soft spots.