Autumn is in full swing at Melbourne Market, with peak-season apples, navel oranges and hearty vegetables including fennel and Brussels sprouts leading the seasonal shift. Traders at Victoria’s wholesale fruit, vegetable and cut flower trading centre are reporting strong quality across broccoli and snow peas, with pomegranates, persimmons and tropical produce continuing to deliver variety as the weather cools.
New-season fruit is building momentum, with peak harvest varieties of apples and pears now at their freshest. Citrus is also starting to take centre stage, with the first Navelina and M7 oranges from Mildura and South Australia preparing to land, alongside the first mandarins and lemons from Queensland arriving.
Roy Thierry from Geelong Citrus Packers says the citrus transition is well underway. “We’re a couple of weeks away from Mildura and South Australian Navelinas and the M7 variation of oranges,” he says. “Local Victorian mandarins are also set to come in a month’s time.”
Vegetables are also transitioning, with new-season fennel and brussels sprouts now coming into the market from local growing regions.
Elliot Cucinotta from HC Produce says cooler weather produce is hitting its stride. “Fennel is starting to come out of Werribee. It’s a favourite in many salads and alongside roasted meats,” he says. “Victorian brussels sprouts are also coming in. Delicious in soups, and roasted with a bit of olive oil and salt.”
While new lines arrive, some warm weather favourites are nearing their end. Figs and black plums are finishing up, while local Victorian lettuce and corn are in their final weeks as supply moves north to Queensland.
May also heralds the arrival of several unique fruit lines, including Australian jujubes and persimmons from Cobram. With peak harvest now underway, apples and pears are at their absolute freshest. And while autumn’s crisp grapes are still eating exceptionally well, volume is tightening as the season finishes up.
Tropical fruit continues with longans and custard apples from Queensland offering exceptional variety, while prickly pears and grapefruit are also in abundance.
Greens and brassicas remain in strong supply and excellent quality, particularly broccoli and snow peas. Victorian broccoli from Werribee is particularly good, along with snow peas from Mildura.
Cucinotta says the quality of winter staples is a standout this month. Fennel and brussels sprouts are proving to be versatile additions to the autumn table, providing the perfect base for hearty, roasted dishes.
Local zucchinis, however, are currently finishing up.
With a strong mix of peak-season arrivals, late-summer favourites and reliable autumn staples, May is a busy month at Melbourne Market.
For the freshest picks, expert advice and the widest range, visit your local greengrocer.
SEASONAL SNAPSHOT
FIRST OF: Pomegranates, green olives, flat beans, Navelinas and M7 oranges (SA/Mildura), persimmons (Cobram), longans (QLD), fennel (Werribee), brussels sprouts (VIC).
LAST OF: Figs, black plums, Adora seedless grapes, local zucchinis, local corn, local Victorian lettuce, Valencia oranges.
LOTS OF: Australian jujubes, custard apples (QLD), prickly pears, snow peas (Mildura), broccoli (Werribee), grapefruit.
EATING WELL: Apples and pears (peak harvest), grapes, Queensland corn.
To find a local greengrocer, visit abetterchoice.com.au
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