Early crops threatened by continuing rain

Press, 31 August 1989, Page 31

Early crops threatened by continuing rain

For the first time in years growers are hoping the rain will ease up in the next few days so that crops already down will not be flooded and ruined. According to market auctioneers, many growers said they had never seen their fields as wet as they had this week for many years.

"A few have already said their early crops are being wiped out by flooding from the recent week of rain,” an auctioneer said.

Another week of rain may affect the supply of main green vegetable lines in three months time as fields may become flooded. Other vegetables which may suffer are potatoes and onions that should be being planted, said one of the market managers.

“With planting being held up a week, it could affect supplies later in the season.

“But if the weather provides a lot of sunshine for the next few weeks things should really take off as more vegetables come in,” he said.

Celery firmed at the beginning of the week because of wet weather in the North Island (our suppliers) but increased supplies later helped level celery prices. Celery was $27 a box of nine sticks and $3O for 12.

Capsicums are still fetching high prices at $l2 a kilogram for green and $2O a kilogram red. Cucumbers were $3 to $4 each for telegraph. Cauliflower was plentiful at $4 to $8 a bag and 50 cents to $1 each. Broccoli is also at full supply this week — just in time to complement hot roasts

during a very wet and cold week. Broccoli was $1.50 to $2.50 a kilogram and Brussels sprouts up to $l4 a bag and $l5 to $2O a carton.

Nelson lettuces were available and increasing in size, said one auctioneer. Parnassus lettuces were also of good quality and selling well on the market floor. Hothouse lettuce was $1.50 to $2.20 each. Nelson’s were $ll to $l6 a case, and Oamaru’s $8 to $l3 a case.

Cabbages range widely in price from $3 to $lO a bag. Savoy is $9 a bag and red is $7 a case. Potatoes and onions became more plentiful this week. Red onions are almost finished at $6 to $8 a bag. Table onions were $4 to $l2 a bag, with quality determining the difference in price. Jumbos were $2 to $l2 a bag, and picklers were $4 to $6 a bag. Mushrooms remained constant at $l3 to $l4 a 3kg tray and garlic was $6 to $8 a kilogram. There were few changes in the fruit available at market. The new apple additions were Sturmers for $13.50 a 15kg crate and Richared at $16.95 a 15kg crate. Golden Delicious apples are finished for the season. Red Delicious is also coming to an end but those left are selling for $16.95 a crate, Granny Smiths were $16.50 a crate and Splendour $19.40 a crate. Winter Nellis pears are $24.90, as were Winter Cole.

New Zealand oranges are at their sweetest and selling well for $lB to $2O a carton. Kiwifruit quality

is excellent for 50 cents to $1 a kilogram. Avacados make a nice change for a nutritious breakfast. These are $lO to $l5 a tray. Other New Zealand citrus such as grapefruit, lemons, mandarins and tangelos are selling well. Nashi is $5 a tray, and passionfruit is $6 a kilogram. Tamarillos are still good quality at $l5 to $2O a half-carton. Tomato prices remained fairly similar to last week with local costing $22 to $3O. Nelson’s were $24 to $2B and Blenheim’s $25 to $32. All were in 4.5 kg cartons. From Auckland, the larger 7kg boxes were $32 to $45 each. Something to look forward to next week are Australian mandarins, which should have arrived at market by then.

Today’s recipe Avocado Vinaigrette 2 ripe avocados juice of 1 lemon lemon slices to garnish %c vegetable oil — olive or soya

salt and pepper to taste

METHOD: Cut avocados in half lengthwise and remove stone. Place each half in a serving dish. Combine oil, lemon juice and seasonings in a small, screw-top jar and shake well. Pour dressing into avocado cavities. Garnish 1 with lemon slices. Serves four. Avocados can also be filled with prawns, crabmeat, smoked salmon, mussels or chopped ham or salami with vinaigrette dressing over.