As Queensland mango season kicks off, prices for popular varieties like Kensington Pride and Calypso are set to drop, with some available for as little as $2 or $3 each. Sam Cessario, co-owner of Sydney’s Figtree Greengrocer, confirms that mangoes are now in season, though top-quality fruit may still command a premium. The Northern Territory mango season has finished, but Queensland’s supply will soon bring lower prices within a week or two.
Beyond mangoes, November offers excellent value on berries. Local strawberries and blueberries from New South Wales are expected to become cheaper in coming weeks, with premium jumbo punnets ranging from $3 to $6. Raspberries and blackberries are also affordable, with punnets around $4.50 and $3.50 respectively. Mark Narduzzo of Pino’s Fine Produce in Melbourne highlights that Tasmanian raspberries will further drop in price as their season begins.
In the vegetable aisle, Asian greens are at their peak. Bok choy and Chinese broccoli (gai lan) are plentiful at about $2 a bunch, ideal for simple steaming or use in soups and stir-fries. Salad staples like iceberg lettuce remain cheap at around $2.50 a head, while leafy greens such as spinach are in good supply. Snowpeas and green beans are also well-priced, with beans around $5.50 a kilo.
Stone fruits and cherries are on the horizon, with supply expected to increase in a week or two, though cherries require dry weather for optimal quality. Meanwhile, citrus is transitioning: mandarins are finishing, navels are on their way out, and valencia season is imminent. For now, berries and mangoes are the stars of the season, perfect for desserts like Tamal Ray’s berry mousse tart or simple mango yoghurt fool.
