Demand great but some supplies small

Press, 3 July 1986, Page 13

Demand great but some supplies small

Demand for produce at one Christchurch market yesterday was exceptionally strong for the limited amount of produce available, said the manager of Market Gardeners, Ltd, Mr Ron Bainbridge.

Another market, McFarlane and Growers, Ltd, reported no obvious shortages of vegetables, apart from cabbages, which were shorter because less crops had been planted by growers this year.

Gale-force winds in the Cook Strait which forced the cancellation of four ferry sailings yesterday, might affect the amount of North Island produce normally expected at today’s markets, said Mr Bainbridge. Green vegetables were much more expensive this week.

Leeks fetched between $l4 and $2O for a box of 12 bunches. Cabbages fetched between $lO and $15.40 a bag of eight. A large bag of coleslaw heads fetched up to $18.60 a bag. Red cabbages fetched up to $5 a bag. Chinese cabbages were also in demand, fetching up to $9 a case. A good supply of quality cauliflowers were picked in "atrocious” conditions to meet the consumer demand, said one market. They fetched between $8 and $11.60 a bag of eight Broccoli grown in Oamaru 'and Canterbury was stocked, as well as some supplies from Australia. District broccoli was fetching from $lO to $l6 a small case and up to $5B a large case at one market and up to $l9 a 4kg case at another market. Australian broccoli fetched between $45 and $5O an Bkg container. Brussels sprouts were still plentiful, fetching between $10.50 and $l2 a

6kg bag, and between $9 and $lO a bag. Witloof, which has been in short supply, was once again stocked. It was supplied by a Canterbury grower and fetched up to $l5 a tray. Further stocks

were expected from Hamilton next week. Witloof can be snapped off at the base and eaten with dips, added to salads, or simply used as decoration to food dishes. Potatoes were plentiful and reasonably priced,

with six varieties to choose from. Many growers had already harvested and stored most of their crops, and would grade and bag them as required, so the rain would not affect supply, reported one market. Maris Anchors were excellent in quality and fetched up to $2.30 for a

10kg bag, and up to $4.50 a 20kg bag. Red Kings fetched up to $3.60 a 10kg bag. Bags of 20kg potatoes included Ruas at up to $4.50 a bag; Ham Hardies, at between $3 and $4 a bag; and Black Soil and Chippewas fetched up to $6 a bag. i Tomatoes from Canterbury were still in good supply, fetching between $7 and $l4 a 4.5 kg carton. Auckland tomatoes fetched between $23 and $27 a 7kg carton. Radishes, spring onions and parsley were also stocked. Australian produce included beans, courgettes, cucumbers, aubergines, capsicum, snow peas, ginger and watermelon. Australian fruit included the arrival of a large consignment of Navel oranges, which sold for up to $18.60 an 18 to 19kg carton. Some Australian pineapples were also stocked, selling for $23.10 a carton. Australian Red Em-

peror and Ohanez grapes fetched between $2l and $23 a 10kg carton. • Philippine bananas were well supplied, fetching up to $23 a cartop. Another shipment of Philippine bananas is due on Friday. A limited supply of good quality pawpaw also arrived from both the Cook Islands and Rarotonga, fetching up to $2O for nine fruit.

North Island-grown avocados fetched between $3O and $4O a tray of 16 to 20 fruit New Zealand citrus fruit included lemons, at up to $10.20 for a 15 to 18kg carton; mandarins (both Clementine and Satsuma) at between $1.50 and $2 a kg; oranges from Kerikeri, at up to $2O a 14 to 15kg carton; and marmalade grapefruit from Kerikeri fetching up to 80c a kg. Some limes were also stocked, fetching up to $2 a kg. All varieties of New Zealand apples and pears also remained plentiful yesterday. Today’s recipe PROVENCALE SQUASH 6 squash 60g butter 500 g tomatoes 1 small onion, chopped 90g grated cheese salt and pepper to taste Method: Cut squash into slices, fry with onion in butter for between 10 and 15 minutes. Cut tomatoes into slices and add to pan. Cook for a few minutes. In a greased dish place a layer of tomato and a layer of squash. Sprinkle grated cheese between layers. Finish with a layer of tomatoes and a sprinkling of cheese. Bake in moderate over for 45 minutes.