Hurry! These October’s fresh produce deals won’t last long

Spring has arrived, and with it, a welcome reprieve for your grocery budget.

Fresh produce has been climbing in price across Australia, but October brought a seasonal abundance that promised relief.

Savvy shoppers found high-quality fruits and vegetables at prices that made meal planning a little easier.

Fruit and vegetable prices were tracking 7 per cent above last year—the highest increase among all food categories—making timing your shopping around seasonal peaks more important than ever.

October delivered exactly what budget-conscious households needed: plentiful supply meeting ideal growing conditions.

Asparagus took centre stage

'Asparagus is where it's at,' declared Graham Gee, senior buyer at Melbourne's Happy Apple.

The Koo Wee Rup region—Victoria's largest asparagus growing district—supplied exceptional quality spears for under $2 a bunch in supermarkets.

This price represented outstanding value for a vegetable rich in nutrients particularly beneficial for older adults.

Asparagus provided folate for heart health, vitamin K for bone strength, and antioxidants that may have helped reduce inflammation.

Its natural diuretic properties also supported kidney function.

If weather conditions remained favourable, this affordable asparagus supply would continue until December.

For those seeking something special, white asparagus—considered a delicacy in Germany—offered a unique culinary experience, currently priced at around $39 per kilogram with expectations of falling prices as the five-week season progressed.

To keep asparagus fresh, trimming the ends and standing the spears upright in a glass of water in the refrigerator was key.

Covering them loosely with a plastic bag extended freshness for up to a week, ensuring maximum value from the purchase.

Salad season arrives

Iceberg and cos lettuces were abundant and affordable, with mignonette and butter lettuces close behind.

These cooling vegetables offered hydration and essential vitamins while keeping meal costs down.

Cucumbers continued their reign as one of the most budget-friendly vegetables, holding steady at around $2 each.

Their high water content made them perfect for hydration, while their mild flavour paired beautifully with stronger tastes—ideal for seniors experiencing changes in their sense of taste.

Tomato renaissance underway

Tomato supplies rebounded after a challenging wet season in northern Australia.

South Australian and Victorian growers delivered excellent produce, with gourmet varieties priced between $4-5 per kilogram and expected to continue falling.

Specialty tomatoes such as oxhearts, Black Russians, and colourful mini Roma medley mixes arrived, offering more flavour than standard tomatoes—a bonus for home cooks seeking maximum taste impact.

Berry bonanza and stone fruit preview

Western Australian strawberries delivered exceptional value at $2.99 per punnet, representing some of the best berry pricing in months.

Blueberries at $3 per punnet and raspberries at $4.50 offered excellent antioxidant value, making it worthwhile to stock up and freeze portions for smoothies or baking.

Mulberries appeared during their brief four-week season, providing antioxidant-rich options that were once common in Australian backyards.

Early peaches and nectarines also began appearing at markets, though small and expensive at $3.90-4.50 per kilogram, with price drops expected soon.

Apricot season followed later in the month, reaching peak quality in November.

Mango season approaches

Northern Territory mangoes began their price descent later in October.

Premium Kensington Prides were available at two for $10 for large fruit at specialty grocers or about $4 each in supermarkets, remaining the pick of the crop.

The massive R2E2 varieties also approached, though Kensington Prides consistently offered the best eating experience.

Tropical treats and final citrus call

Queensland's yellow champagne watermelons offered variety at the same price as traditional red types ($3.99 per kilogram).

Lychees and mangosteens from northern Queensland also arrived, providing exotic flavours.

It was the final opportunity to enjoy citrus at reasonable prices.

While sumo mandarins became scarce and imperial mandarins had finished, Afourer mandarins continued until December at $5-6 per kilogram.

Making your grocery budget stretch

Vegetable retail sales value rose 7.3 per cent while volume dropped 0.6 per cent, highlighting the need for strategic shopping.

Focusing on seasonal produce at peak supply, buying only what could be used within a few days, and considering frozen alternatives for out-of-season favourites proved essential.

Buying slightly overripe fruit at reduced prices for immediate use in smoothies, baking, or cooking was also wise, as many nutrients were actually higher in fully ripe produce.

Regional connections mattered for pricing and quality.

Koo Wee Rup asparagus, Western Australian strawberries and avocados, and South Australian tomatoes represented some of Australia's most consistent quality regions, with favourable growing conditions benefiting both price and flavour.

If you’re looking for another way to enjoy fresh, high-quality produce without overspending, there are services that make it easier to access seasonal fruits and vegetables.

One option lets you support local growers while receiving a curated selection of fresh produce delivered straight to your door.

It’s a practical approach that complements the tips from our October shopping guide and helps you stretch your grocery budget even further.

Read more: Save money, eat better, support farmers — that’s the Farmers Pick promise

Which of these seasonal bargains will you be picking up first this month?