Autumn's Harvest Brings Sweet Deals on Fruit and Vegetables Across Australia
As autumn arrives in Australia, the season heralds a bounty of ripe and affordable produce, with Royal Gala apples and nashi pears among the standout value items for March. According to industry experts, this is a prime time for pome fruits, offering consumers significant savings on fresh, high-quality options.
Apple and Pear Prices Drop with Seasonal Abundance
Graham Gee, senior buyer at the Happy Apple in Melbourne, highlights that Gala apples are leading the charge this month. "The first cab off the rank is the gala – a big sweet and juicy apple," he says. Royal Gala apples are currently priced between $5 and $8 per kilogram at most Australian supermarkets, with variations across retailers. For instance, Sydney's Galluzzo Fruiterers sells them for $7 to $9 per kilogram, while the Happy Apple offers them at about $3 to $5 per kilogram. In Perth, Spudshed is promoting prepacked new season apples for $3.99 per kilogram.
Other apple varieties like Granny Smith, Jazz, and Kanzi are also entering the market this month, though early season Pink Lady apples remain slightly more expensive at $8.90 per kilogram in supermarkets. Gee notes that Pink Lady, Australia's most popular variety, typically starts in April.
New season pears are equally ripe for consumption, with Beurré Bosc, Corella, and nashi varieties available for $3 to $6 per kilogram at the Happy Apple. "In the green, we're enjoying the Williams Bon Chrétien at the moment, but that makes way for the Packham, which is the green pear we enjoy for most of the year," Gee explains. Williams pears range from $3.50 to $4.90 per kilogram in supermarkets, or 63 cents each at Coles, making them ideal for baking desserts like pear and walnut pudding or fudgy pear, chocolate, and hazelnut torte.
Figs and Avocados Offer Exceptional Value
Josh Flamminio, owner and buyer at Galluzzo Fruiterers, points to juicy figs as another autumn highlight. "People are buying whole trays, they're beautiful. We're selling them for $2 each," he says. These figs can be enjoyed fresh or used in recipes such as fig and thyme clafoutis or fig, ricotta, and orange tart.
Hass avocados are also a strong buy this month, with Flamminio selling large ones from Western Australia for $2.50 each. Supermarkets offer them between $1.50 and $2 each, and Spudshed has them for $1.49 each. Gee recommends the smooth, green-skinned Shepard avocados from north Queensland, which he sells for $2 each, noting their creamy texture and advising customers to check ripeness by a slight press at the top.
Vegetable Market Remains Steady with Good Availability
Gee describes March as a "nice and steady month for vegetables," with good availability and reasonable prices. Key items include cauliflower, capsicum, broccoli, eggplant, and zucchini, all of high quality. Green beans are steady at $2.99 for 500-gram bags, and half a cauliflower costs $2.99 at Galluzzo.
Flamminio adds that tomatoes are thriving due to heat and humidity, with Roma and red varieties selling for about $6.99 per kilogram, and truss tomatoes slightly higher at $7.99 per kilogram. Kale, cavolo nero, spinach, and carrots remain abundant, with carrots priced at $2.40 per kilogram in supermarkets and $2.99 per kilogram at Galluzzo. Sicilian eggplants, noted for their sweetness and lack of seeds, are a premium option at $9.99 per kilogram, while glasshouse eggplants are cheaper at $4.90 per kilogram in supermarkets.
Berries and Stone Fruit Face Challenges
However, not all produce is faring well. Berries have been impacted by fluctuating weather, with blueberries in very limited supply due to reduced production in Tasmania. Strawberries are also affected by extreme heat from a month ago, leading to higher prices; Gee suggests waiting until May for Queensland's strawberry season to bring costs down.
Passionfruit is scarce and expensive, selling for $19.99 per kilogram at Galluzzo and $2 to $3 each at the Happy Apple. Stone fruit like peaches and nectarines are nearing the end of their season, becoming floury, though plums remain a better option, with premium varieties at $14.99 per kilogram.
In summary, March offers excellent value on autumn fruits and steady vegetables across Australia, making it an ideal time for consumers to stock up on fresh, affordable produce while avoiding pricier items like berries and passionfruit.
