Apples, pears being imported

Press, 20 November 1981, Page 2

Apples, pears being imported

’North American imports will keep Christchurch shoppers supplied with -fresh apples and pears until Christmas. . > ’The first cargo of Canadian Red Delicious apples and Washington state d’Anjou pears arrived at Christchurch produce markets last week to boost supplies at the end of the local season. Stocks should last until next week when another Apple and Pear Board shipment is due to arrive at Lyttelton. A third shipment just before Christmas is also likely.; . ?. i.; ; Prices for the new season imports are about 16 per cent higher than last year with increased shipping costs and the strengthening United States dollar. The recommended retail price, for. both apples and pears is $1.85 a kilogram. '<;■ Cauliflowers are likely to be scarce until summer varieties appear next month. Market prices yesterday were up to $l.lO each. Lettuce prices have also firmed with warm weather boosting demand. Prices rose about $1.50 to between $4.50 and $8.20 a case. ■ ’ Prices for nevy. potatoes and cucumbers have fallen. Nelson growers started digging' their potato crops after warm weather, last week-end and the plentiful supplies dropped prices to between $7 and $8.50 a bag. Bags; of

Pukekohe new potatoes fetched $ll. Cucumbers fetched 40c to 75c each with plenty of local hot-house telegraph cucumbers available. Prices will probably remain stable unless .Nelson growers start sending big quantities of cucumbers to Christchurch. Auckland and Hastings courgettes were also more abundant at $l2 to $22 a case. North Island celery sold at $l5 to $lB a carton. Tomato prices have dropped slightly with more local, Blenheim, and Nelson produce selling. A 4.5 kg case fetched $7 to $ll. More drumhead cabbages were - available this week.

New season carrots from Pukekohe and Hawke's Bay were plentiful earlier in the week at $l2 a bag but a temporary shortage yesterday put the price to about $20.80. Spring onions and radishes are plentiful but parsley is becoming scarce again. The main commercial grower has finished his crops and markets may have to freight parsley from the North Island where growers will soon start their season. A good bunch of parsley fetched to $1.50 yesterday. The spring .vegetable season is running about a week late this year, cold weather having hindered

local crops. Spring beets will probably not arrive at the markets until next week. The first local peas were in demand yesterday. Peas from the only grower who has started picking commanded from $l2 to $l3 a half-case. Broad beans sold at $2 to $6 a case. Stringless beans from nelson and the North Island were more expensive, selling to $l2 a case. Local growers will not produce broad beans until next month and local stringless beans will not be ready for harvesting until late January or early February. Cold nights have also affected strawberry crops and prices held at $l2 to $17.40 a

tray. More local straw-berries are appearing on shop shelves. The cherry season is getting under way with good supplies from Blenheim selling for about $7.25 for a 2kg carton. Island produce has been arriving in instalments via x Auckland. Mangoes fetched $l4 a tray on Wednesday and paw paws sold at $2O to $24.50 yesterday. This week’s recipe CRUNCHY PEAR PIE 75g butter 3 /4 cup sugar 500 g cooked pears 3 tbsp chopped preserved ginger 1 tsp ground ginger 2 cups cereal l'i cups cream Method: Place butter, sugar and ground ginger in a saucepan and boil for one minute. Remove from heat and stir in cereal-. Turn into pie plate and press firmly to line bottom and sides. Chill in refrigerator. Drain cooked pears, slice, and arrange in shell. Top with whipped cream mixed with chopped preserved ginger.