Variety spice of full supply

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 20

Variety spice of full supply

Christchurch markets were well supplied with an exceptional variety of produce yesterday, in preparation for the long Anzac Week-end. The previous week’s warm weather has ensured a continuous supply of vegetables normally susceptible to frosts, such' as courgettes, broccoli and cauliflowers. North Island supplies of courgettes are coming forward in greater quanti-; ties, as Canterbury supplies near the end of their season. North Island courfettes fetched between 13 and $22 a half case, and district, between $l6 and $lB a half case. Large supplies of broccoli from Oamaru, coinciding with the Canterbury harvesting season, have substantially increased supplies. Demand has been high, with prices ranging from between $5 and $7 for two' to three kilograms and between $3 and $9 a case, depending on the size of the case. Now is an ideal time to freeze broccoli for the winter months. It should

be blanched in a covered pot to the stage where it retains a bright green colour. When ready to thaw, the vegetable only needs to be lightly steamed. There has been a steady demand for Brussels sprouts, which are at present being supplied from Oamaru, Canterbury, and Blenheim. Supplies are shorter this season, with prices reaching up to $l2 a 7kg case of Oamaru sprouts, and up to $l5 for a 10kg case of Canterbury-grown sprouts. Canterbury-grown cauliflowers fetched between $4 and $8 a bag of eight. Ample stocks of good quality potatoes were available, including Ilam Hardy, Chippewa, Rua and Maris Anchor. They fetched between $3.50 and $4 a 20kg bag. Pumpkins were well stocked, fetching up to $4 for 20kg, or 20 cents a kg. Varieties available included crown, grey and butternut. Mushrooms finned in price this week at one market, fetching up to $l6 a 3kg tray. Salad lines were still well supplied. Tomatoes dropped in price this week, fetching between $7 and $9.40 a 4.5 kg carton. Top grade lines fetched up to $lO a case. Cucumbers are plentiful, fetching between 40 cents and 60 cents each for shorts and between $5 and $8 a case. Stocks of whitloof arrived from Hamilton at one market this week, fetching between $l6 and $lB a tray. Cabbages were in good supply, including red, savoy and drum varieties. Prices ranged between $5 and $7 a bag, depending on the variety. Green beans were still available, although in shorter supplies, fetching up to $lO a half case. The colder weather will affect supplies. Good supplies of walnuts continued to come forward. Shelled walnuts fetched between $1.40 and $l.BO for IOOg at one market. Export quality Akaroa chestnuts were available, selling for $3 a kg. American peanuts were also stocked, fetching up

to $3.40 a kg. Excellent quality strawberries continued from Roxburgh, Waimate, and Canterbury, fetching up to $l7 a tray of 12 punnets, or between $l.lO and $1.20 a punnet. Adequate supplies of autumn raspberries were also available, selling between $l2 to $l5 a tray of 12 punnets. Kiwifruit was abundantly stocked yesterday. Excellent export-quality new seasons stocks arrived from Nelson and Motueka, fetching reasonable prices at 70c a kg. A fresh consignment of Australian pineapples ar- ; rived this week, fetching between $2.50 and $3 each. Mandarins from Keri Keri continued to arrive, fetching up to $3 a kg, depending on the quality. Some had been picked a little too early, reported one market. Australian mandarins, and Californian oranges and lemons were well stocked. A fresh consignment of limes also arrived from Ecuador, fetching between $l2 and $14.50 a carton. Tamarillos from Keri Keri and* Gisborne were stocked, fetching up to $22 an Bkg carton. 1 Large Hopkins avacados 1 from Gisborne fetched high prices, at between $35 and $4O a tray, and up to $5O a tray of 20 to 23 at one market. Limited stocks of Asian Nash! pears were selling for between $l7 a tray of 20 to 23, and $2O a tray. Packham pears were also stocked. Island coconuts were reasonably priced at 55c each. District-grown watermelon had almost finished for the season. Imports from the Islands may be limited because of a ban on imported watermelons after consignments last year were found to be harbouring fruit fly larvae, one market reported. Australia was exempt from the ban, however. Good quality figs were also stocked, fetching between $5 and $8 a tray. Cape gooseberries also added variety, fetching up •to $ll a tray.

Crisp apple varieties were plentiful, including Cox Orange Pippin, Gala,

Royal Gala, Spartan, Ballarat, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious.

Granny Smiths should be available in another two to three weeks.