As the early summer weather warms up, New Zealand's produce shelves are starting to showcase a wide array of fruits and vegetables, signaling a shift in the season's offerings. According to fruit and veggie expert Glenn Forsyth, while some crops are phasing out, others are entering their prime, ready to be enjoyed by consumers. Highlighting the diversity, watermelon emerges as the season's standout fruit, noted for its nutritional benefits including vitamin C and potassium, making it an ideal choice for summer outings like beach trips and barbecues. Forsyth encourages consumers to take advantage of the favorable pricing currently available for watermelon.
As the availability of strawberries and blueberries dwindles, stone fruits and New Zealand melons are gaining prominence. However, a temporary shortage in apricot supply is anticipated due to a transition between the ending season in Hawke's Bay and the forthcoming harvest in Central Otago. Despite this, Central Otago is experiencing a surge in cherry production, offering good value on smaller-sized fruits. The market also sees a variety of nectarines, peaches, and plums, with specific types such as honey, classic, and white flesh nectarines, and black diamond, purple majesty, and fortune plums already available. Additionally, the upcoming availability of primetime and black doris plums is expected.
Beyond domestic produce, New Zealand's import scene welcomes US oranges and lemons, along with Australian grapes, enriching the local fruit selection. On the vegetable front, while kumara supplies are anticipated to be low until the new season begins, other vegetables like sweetcorn, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbages, and mushrooms remain abundant. Cucumbers, in particular, are in surplus, potentially dropping to prices as low as 99 cents. This varied availability across fruits and vegetables underscores the dynamic nature of New Zealand's produce market as it adapts to seasonal changes.
Source: 1news