More than 700 tonnes of potatoes, 170 tonnes of carrots, 200 tonnes of cherries and more than 500 tonnes of mangoes are expected to be traded in the week leading up to Christmas through Melbourne Market, Victoria’s wholesale fruit, vegetable and cut flower trading centre.
In good news for the budget-conscious preparing their Christmas menu this year, local Dutch carrots and radishes are coming into season, while potatoes are increasing in quality and quantity and so will be at great prices by Christmas. Peaches, nectarines and apricots are all also in good supply, with quality high and prices low.
David James from Market City Fruits says weather conditions have meant an early start to the Tasmanian cherry season. “Which is good news for a Victorian Christmas as there’ll be both locally grown and Tassie cherries in time for Christmas Day, so there’ll be plenty of supply,” he says.
Adrian Antonello from Antonello Produce expects to trade more than 130 tonnes of potatoes in the coming week. “Potato quality and quantity have both been increasing over the past few months, which means they are the best they’ve been all year in time for Christmas,” he says.
It’s proving to be a bumper summer for mangoes, which are in prime quality coming into Christmas, with Kensington Pride, Calypso, Honey Gold and R2E2 varieties all keenly priced.
Peter Tran from Produce of Virginia, which will sell more than 50 tonnes of the fruit through Melbourne Market this week, says it’s been a great season for mangoes so far. He recommends choosing fruit with the best aroma for the best flavour.
Adrian Antonello says this will be one of the busiest times of the year for traders at Melbourne Market to ensure greengrocers and independent supermarkets are fully stocked with plentiful fresh fruit and veg for Christmas celebrations across the state. “By shopping at their local greengrocer, Victorians will be enjoying the most affordable, best-quality spuds and other produce for Christmas this year,” he says.
Melbourne Market is Victoria’s wholesale fruit, vegetable and cut flower trading centre.
The market plays a critical role in the local fresh produce supply chain, connecting small farmers with more than 2000 individual fruit and vegetable buyers representing independent greengrocers, restaurants, supermarkets and food processors.
For more information on Melbourne Market:melbournemarket.com.au