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 in 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,” he says.
“This March, look out for our Thompson, Crimson, Natural Sultana, Crispy Dream and Crunchy Pop varieties which are all eating really well.”
Campisi encourages people to broaden their horizons when it comes to grape varieties.
“Look for grapes with a vibrant colour, and don’t be afraid to ask your local greengrocer for a taste – you might be surprised. For example, the dark Crispy Dreams variety is sweet, seedless with a lovely crunch.”
Melbourne Market wholesaler Daniel Roginson from Perfection Fresh says the end of the Tasmanian berry season is approaching.
“Keep an eye on the quality when selecting Tasmanian blueberries, raspberries and strawberries this month. We expect to see Western Australian supplies coming into the market over the next four weeks,” he says.
The supply of black tomato varieties, such as Black Russian and Kumato, will also taper off by the end of the month until after winter, so Roginson says “fans of this variety should eat up in March”.
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.
FIRST OF: Berries from Western Australia (expected late March, early April), Shepard avocados
LOTS OF: Victorian plums, grapes (all colours), tomatoes, capsicum
SHORTAGE OF: Cavendish bananas
LAST OF: Tasmanian blueberries, strawberries and raspberries; Victorian peaches and nectarines; black tomato varieties
To find a local greengrocer, visit abetterchoice.com.au