Media Releases
Supply and quality of local fruit and veg remain good
Release Date: January 24, 2011
The Adelaide Produce Market is calling for all shoppers to buy local fresh produce, and not to be alarmed be rumours of skyrocketing prices and lessened quality.
“On the whole, prices for most fruit and vegetable lines have remained stable in price over the past few weeks, and haven’t been too affected by the floods in Queensland”, Adelaide Produce Market spokesperson Julian Carbone said.
“We are seeing some quality issues regarding garlic and sweet potato, but on the whole, the quality of our locally grown fruit and vegetable is at a very high level”, Mr Carbone said.
“Our business is entirely based on the laws of basic economics; supply and demand. We have noticed temporarily shortages of a handful of fruit and vegetables lines primarily sourced from Queensland, and subsequent increases in price. However this just means farmers will plant more of that item to meet the demand and hence prices will soon settle”, Mr Carbone said.
Vegetable wholesale price movements compared to Friday 7 January 2011 (before the flood): Asparagus down 6.67%, broccoli down 3%, Lebanese cucumbers 5.45%, peas down 28.57%, sweet potato down 4% and onions down 14.3%. Carrot, beetroot, herbs, Chinese cabbage, mushroom, spinach and potato are all stable with good supply. Beans, cabbage, capsicum, chillies, cucumbers, garlic, ginger, lettuce tomatoes and zucchini are all up at the moment.
Fruit wholesale price movements compared to Friday 7 January 2011 (before the flood): Cherries down by 42%, Kiwi fruit down 31%, oranges down 7.89%, peaches down 33%, pineapples down 3%, rockmelon down 26%, strawberries down 125%, lemons are down by around 15% and seedless watermelon is down 44%. Most apple varieties and avocado are stable in price. Pink Lady apples, apricots, bananas and plums are up.
“If in doubt, ask your greengrocer if the product is grown locally in South Australia. Please buy local!”, Mr Carbone said.
