Temperatures of 40C-plus before Christmas, have meant that the prices of stone fruits will be high for at least the next couple of weeks, as the amount of supply was decreased.
Local yellow and white peaches, and yellow and white nectarines are priced at $4.50 to $6kg, instead of the usual $3 to $4kg, says Adelaide Central Market trader Bill Zaharis. Apricots are just about finished for the year, he says.
With Riverland orchards suffering losses in the heat, supplies have tightened, says Mr Zaharis, but this week’s delivery at his Thompsons Fruit and Veg stall (26/27), “is still top quality”.
“A solid week of 40C-plus has affected the yields, for now, and prices went up yesterday, but it will probably be a short-term spike of a week or two,” he said, expecting the stone fruit season to stretch to the end of March.
Growers are reporting SA fruit trees have benefited from a spring season of less rain and more sunshine, so despite a short supply, steady quality is expected in the next wave of fruit.
