🍓 Berries
Berries are a seasonal superstar in Victoria, especially from late spring through to mid-autumn when local strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are at their absolute best. Whether you're plating desserts, garnishing breakfast, or making sauces, fresh Victorian berries are hard to beat.
Out of season, most berries are sourced from Queensland or imported — quality can vary, and prices often rise sharply.
Peak Season: November to April
Off Season: May to October – mostly sourced from QLD or overseas
Common & readily available varieties: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries
Specialty Varieties: Boysenberry, Blackberry, Mulberry, Redcurrant, Blackcurrant (mid-summer only)
Storage tips: Keep in original punnets or a paper towel lined container in the fridge. Wash just before serving to avoid early spoilage.
| BERRIES | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberries | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Blueberries | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Raspberries | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Blackberries | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best Quality, Stable Price & Locally-Grown
Peak-season local produce at its freshest and most affordable. Excellent flavour, long shelf life, and reliable availability. Ideal for premium menus and consistent plating.
🟡 Good Quality, Variable Price
Often sourced from interstate. Still high quality, but pricing can shift depending on supply volumes and freight. A solid option with manageable cost.
🟠 OK - Variable Quality, Volatile Pricing
Typically freighted from distant states (QLD, WA or NT). Quality may be inconsistent, and pricing often fluctuates based on weather, fuel, and logistics. Use with caution in cost-sensitive menus.
🔴 Poor - Limited Supply, High Cost, and Imported
Availability is low or highly unpredictable. Often imported from overseas, resulting in shorter shelf life, lower flavour, and premium pricing. Suitable only for specialised or non-negotiable menu items.