Florida oranges will avert citrus shortage in Chch

Press, 26 January 1979, Page 2

Florida oranges will avert citrus shortage in Chch

Produce scene

' A threatened shortage of; oranges in New Zealand during the next few months has been averted by the arrival of a shipment of Florida citrus fruit this week. Cold weather last month severely damaged much of California’s citrus crop, particularly navel oranges, and a shortage seemed likely. However, Fruit Distributors, Ltd, which imports oranges, turned to Florida and the first shipment of Florida fruit arrived at Auckland on Tuesday. The cargo comprises Hamlin oranges and Indian River Ruby grapefruit. The Hamlin orange has a high juice content, is very sweet, and has a thin, smooth textured skin. However, the colour of the outside skin is very pale compared with Californian navel oranges. The shipment will be distributed throughout New Zealand; it is expected to arrive at Lyttelton on January i 30.

Ecuadorean bananas are due next week to replenish dwindling supplies in Christchurch, Californian lemons arrived this week, and some Queensland pineapples were in the markets yesterday. The pineapples sold at $2B a carton earlier in the week, but yesterday fetched be tween $2O and $24 a carton. About 12 to 18 fruit are in each carton. On the vegetable scene,

ft the markets are reasonably • quiet. New-season pumpkin ; supplies increased consid--1 erably this week, demand is i strong, but prices have slipped a bit. i Lettuce prices have also ’ slipped this week but the demand is strong. Cabbages, I carrots, celery, and silver . beet are plentiful. A small quantity of string- , less green beans from the : North Island were available . yesterday. These are in very i good condition; they sold about $7 for a 7kg carton. • Local butter beans are also • available. ’ Potato prices are firm and [ supplies are good. Tomato 1 prices firmed slightly this : week, the top price being ■ about $5.80 for a 4.5 kg carton. Mushrooms, parsley, ■ spring onions, radishes and

corn are all in good supply and selling well.

A wide variety of stone fruit is available and supplies of apricots, in particular. are still increasing. Plums peaches and nectarines are now being sent from Nelson and Marlborough as well as from Central Otago. Apricots sold yesterday to $11.20 for the best quality dessert fruit. Nectarines were up to $5.20 a tray and peaches, which are not meeting as strong a demand as usual, fetched to $4.20 a half-case and between $1.20 and $2.60 a tray.

The last of the Island watermelons have nearly finished but there should be no shortage during the next few weeks as New Zealand watermelons, commonly known as cannonball, should be available.

In spite of the strong demand for stone fruit, strawberries are still popular and supplies are steadily arriving at the markets. Yesterday, punnets fetched to $1.17. Increasing supplies of gherkins are arriving and although they have only a short season, they are very popular. It is advisable to buy them now so they can be pickled for use during the winter. This week, they sold between 40c and 60c a kg.

This week’s recipe PICKLED SWEET GHERKINS

4kg gherkins 6 cups water 5i cups brown sugar 25g cinnamon stick ■J cup salt 9 cups vinegar 25g whole mixed spice 1 teaspoon whole cloves Method. Rub gherkins with coarse-textured cloth to remove roughness. Make a brine with salt and water and soak gherkins for 24 hours. Bring to boil vinegar, sugar and spices. While heating, remove gherkins from brine and pour boiling water over them. Drain into collander and pack closely while still hot into sterilised jars. Pour hot vinegar mixture over the gherkins immediately and seal the jars at once.