🍑 Stone Fruits
Nothing says summer like Victorian-grown stone fruit. From late spring through early autumn, you’ll find sweet, juicy peaches, plums, nectarines and apricots at peak flavour.
Perfect for grilling, baking, or fresh service — they’re a menu hero across every dining style, especially around Christmas and school holidays.
Peak Season: December to March
Off Season: April to November – mainly imported and quality can vary and prices will surge dramatically
Common & readily available varieties: Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums
Heirloom/ Boutique Varieties with limited availability: White Peaches, Blood Plums, Yellow Nectarines, Doughnut Peaches, Cherries
Storage tips: Ripen at room temp, then refrigerate to extend freshness. Best served slightly chilled but not cold for full flavour.
| STONE FRUITS | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apricots | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟡 Good |
🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🟠 OK |
🟢 Best |
| Peaches | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟡 Good |
🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
| Nectarines | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟡 Good |
🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
| Plums | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🟡 Good |
🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good |
🟢 Best |
| Cherries | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor |
🟠 OK |
🟢 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.