Cucumbers
Crisp, refreshing, and quick-growing, cucumbers are a classic warm-weather crop across Victorian farms. Their peak hits in late spring through summer, making them ideal for salads, sandwiches, pickles, and sides.
Recently, baby cucumbers (also called Qukes, snack or cocktail cucumbers) have surged in popularity, prized for their crunch, mild flavour, and ready-to-serve convenience — perfect for cafés, kids’ meals, and grazing boards.
Peak Season: November to March
Common & readily available varieties: Continental, Lebanese, Telegraph, Baby Cucumbers (snack-sized)
Specialty Varieties:Apple Cucumbers, Gherkins, Burpless, Whites, Cucamelons
Off Season: Supplied from QLD or imported – quality may decline
Storage tips: Store coldest part of the fridge in an airtight container; avoid freezing. Use within a week for best texture.
| Cucumbers | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continetal Cucumber | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟡 Good |
🟠 OK |
🟠 OK |
🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
| Lebanese Cucumber | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟡 Good |
🟠 OK |
🟠 OK |
🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
| White Cucumber | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟡 Good |
🟠 OK |
🟠 OK |
🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
| Apple Cucumber | 🟢 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.