Fresh Produce Report 18 August

Beans and zucchinis are scarce due to a cold snap which has raised prices at the Brisbane Produce Market this week.

Sweet corn has been in its prime during winter but is also in light supply.

Bargain hunters should still find plenty of broccoli and cauliflower on special, as well as potatoes from the Bundaberg area. Sweet potatoes are in short supply but are of excellent quality.

Salad lines are still plentiful with lettuce and tomatoes of medium price and great eating quality.

The best buys of the week are English spinach, with its soft leaves and slender stems, and its close relative silverbeet which has crinkly leaves and whiter veins.

A large variety of apples continue to be on the shelves with pink ladies the best choice.

In the citrus line, navels, including the red fleshed variety, are well supplied while a few Valencia are appearing from Queensland. Honey murcotts are the predominant mandarin variety. Limes are in short supply and expensive.

Lady finger bananas remain in short supply but are of good quality while the larger Cavendish banana is well supplied and of medium price.

Avocados are still in plentiful supply and of a reasonable price.

Strawberry production has increased as the plants recover from recent rains with prices becoming more reasonable in the days ahead.