🍇 Specialty & Seasonal Fruit Guide
From summer stone fruit to winter citrus, Victoria’s seasonal fruit offering is diverse and chef-ready. This section focuses on fruits that don’t fall into dedicated categories like berries, citrus or tropicals — including figs, grapes, kiwifruit, pomegranates, persimmons, quinces, rhubarb, and more.
Peak availability for many of these begins in late summer through autumn, particularly from regions like Sunraysia and the Goulburn Valley. Kiwifruit, quince, and persimmons help carry menus into the cooler months, while limited-run fruits like feijoa or loquats bring seasonal interest.
Peak Season: February to May for figs, grapes and pomegranates; winter through early spring for persimmons, quince, and kiwifruit.
Off Season: Some fruits are available year-round via imports — though quality and pricing vary.
Common & readily available varieties: Black Grapes, Red Grapes, Green Grapes, Figs, Kiwifruit, Pomegranates, Persimmons, Quince, Custard Apples, Rhubarb
Specialty Varieties: Feijoa, Loquat
Storage tips: Refrigerate grapes and figs in breathable containers. Store pomegranates and quinces whole in the fridge. Keep persimmons at room temp until ripe, then refrigerate.
| FRUIT | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Figs | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Grapes | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
| Kiwifruit | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Pomegranates | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Persimmons | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Quince | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Feijoa | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Rhubarb | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Custard Apple | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Loquat | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟢 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.