Grapefruit prices at their lowest?

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 2

Grapefruit prices at their lowest?

Marmalade makers and grapefruit eaters can. take advantage of the low-priced New Zealand grapefruit now available in Christchurch. Supplies have been plentiful to heavy all week at the produce markets and prices have been about as low as they possibly can go, taking freight costs into account. Yesterday morning, cases sold from $7 to $9.50, while bins of between 260 kg and 300 kg sold from $9O to $l2O, depending on quality, weight, and the size of the fruit. ~ . Householders should shop around because retail prices will vary.- .Those making marmalade will be able to take advantage of other citrus fruits available and combine them with the grapefruit. : ' jZ ~ A few Australian navel oranges, are expected next week, but the consignment will be the last one for the Christchurch markets this season. Good supplies of New Zealand navels are coming in and prices vary according to quality, weights,' and fruit sizes. Tamarillos continue to be in' only moderate supply, although the volume increased a little yesterday, Demand

has been, strong, but the increased amount brought the earlier high prices down to $l2 to $l5 a half-case. Kiwifruit was still in moderate supply yesterday, and quantities are not expected to increase this season. The top price was $18.50 a halfcase. Fewer and fewer mandarins are coming on to the markets and prices are rising. Much of the fruit is small. The first of the tangelos are available but supplies are still light. The top price yesterday was $2O a bushel case. Although this fruit looks best when , its skin is clear like an orange, it usually tastes best when the skin has become blotchy. The fruit should not be coming into the flush of its season for "another six to eight weeks- •»'>•■■■ • Ecuadorean bananas were available to A retailers on Monday, and met a particularly strong demand. Big, black ribier grapes from California were on the markets yesterday, and sold for their fixed wholesale price , of $3O a container of, about 10.5 kg. New Zealand

passionfruit fetched $8 to $9.50 a quarter-case. Vegetables generally were in good supply yesterday. Prices for cabbages, cauliflowers, celery, brussels sprouts, leeks, lettuces, and silverbeet were down on last week.

The comparatively mild winter has meant that many good quality cabbages are still available in Canterbury, and this with the traditional arrival of Pukekohe cabbages meant plentiful supplies yesterday. Bags of between six and 10 cabbages fetched between $2 and $6. Cauliflowers sold from $1 to $6.20 a bag of six tb 10, and brussels sprouts from $3.50 to $5.40 a bag of about 6.5 kg. Carrots, parsriips, and potatoes were in plentiful supply and prices _ were similar to those S 0f... the last few weeks. However, onions rose slightly in price to $4 to $6.50 a bag of about 18kg to 20kg. - ■ Broccoli fetched between $4 to $9.10 a half-case or bag, depending on quality and weight. Tomatoes continued to sell at high prices, and 7kg cartons from Auckland fetched $22.50 to $3O. Mushrooms keep coming on to-the markets in regular quantities every day. ,

This week’s recipe SHERRIED GRAPEFRUIT AND ORANGES 4 grapefruit 2 oranges 2 tbsps sherry {■ tsp ground ginger 1 tbsp raw sugar Method: Remove all peel and pith from fruit, divide into segments and remove any pips. Place in small bowl and pour over sherry. Allow to stand for 15 _min, turn into individual dishes and sprinkle on sugar and ginger.