Asparagus arrives from Hawke’s Bay

Press, 22 September 1978, Page 2

Asparagus arrives from Hawke’s Bay

Produce scene

The first of the new season’s asparagus from Hawke’s Bay arrived at Christchurch produce markets this week. The asparagus, sent by air, will boost the small local supplies that began arriving at markets early last week. Asparagus is one of the more seasonal vegetables: it is highly susceptible to frost and must be held back until the weather becomes warmer. When it does arrive at the markets, its season is only short but it is always in keen demand. Early asparagus is inclined to be thin and slightly stringy, compared with the th.cker, more succulent spears available as the season progresses. Yesterday, asparagus sold at produce markets for 40c to 74c a bunch. The difference in price is an indication of spear size rather than quality. Supplies of Brussels sprouts are diminishing and the season will soon draw to a close. However, demand is still strong for good quality sprouts; yesterday these fetched $2 to $6 a bag. Buttercup, butternut, and pumpkin supplies are also

shortening and this was reflected in firmer prices yesterday. Buttercups were $3 to $3.50 a bag, butternuts $8 a bag, and pumpkin $2.50 to $5.50 a bag. The bulk of the pumpkins are now being

sent down form the North Island. Carrots and parsnips firmed in price yesterday. Carrots varied from $3 to $6.20 a bag, and parsnips were $2.70 to $6.10 a bag.

Cauliflower supplies ini creased this week, but the > quality of some lines was ! not very good. Prices were I lower at $1 to .$2.50 a bag, f Most of the cauliflowers are > being sent from Nelson and Oamaru, although some come from local market gardens. No Pukekohe potatoes were available yesterday be- . cause of wet weather in the North Island earlier this week. However, the markets • yesterday were adequately supplied with local potatoes, which sold at $2 to $4 a bag. Tomatoes, both Auckland . and local lines, are plentiful and fetched from $8 for smaller sizes and seconds to $lB for better quality tomatoes in 7kg cases, and $7 to $lO for skg cases. Southland swedes are in particularly good condition for this late stage of the season. They fetched $3 a bag. Broccoli sold at $3.50 ■ to $5.40 a half-case, cab--1 bages varied from $2 to ! $".20 for Pukekohe lines, onions fetched $3 to $4 a . bag, and lettuces, which are . in strong demand, sold from ) $3 to $6.20 a case. i The demand for bananas is strong, as is often the , case for this time of the year. The markets are being well supplied with high-qual-itv Ecuadorean bananas. The arrival of Australian Valencia oranges has been delayed and they will not be available until early next week. New Zealand navel oranges are in good supply, and fetching up to $l6 a ! case. The mandarin season is drawing to a close and only the late variety, Burgess Scarlet, is still available; this fetched $2 to $4 a quar-ter-case. Californian Ribier grapes i are in strong demand and the price is steady at $2O for a 10kg lug. Grapefruit sold at $6.50 to $7 a bushel case. Tangelos, which are also in strong demand, were $l3 to $l6 a bushel case.