🌴 Tropical Fruits
Tropical fruits aren’t commercially grown in Victoria, but they’re a year-round essential for chefs and hospitality venues. Peak season aligns with North Queensland harvests from October to March, delivering reliable volumes and flavourful fruit at competitive pricing.
Bananas and pineapples are consistently available, with peak quality from late spring to early autumn. Passionfruit performs best in summer and early autumn, and tropical specialties like lychee, dragon fruit and papaya (red flesh) offer visual appeal and vibrant flavour when in season.
Expect variability during winter months when many lines are imported or trucked from the tropics — quality softens and prices increase.
Peak Season: October to March (QLD-grown)
Off Season: Typically sourced from Asia or stored stock — quality and pricing vary
Common & readily available varieties: Bananas, Pineapples, Passionfruit, Red Papaya
Specialty Varieties: Lychee, Dragon Fruit, Feijoa, Sapote, Achacha, Longan, Starfruit, Guava, Rambutan
Storage tips: Store bananas and papayas at room temperature. Refrigerate only once ripened or cut. Keep dragon fruit and pineapples chilled to preserve texture and shelf life.
| TROPICAL FRUITS | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pineapple | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Papaya (Red) | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Lychee | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
| Dragon Fruit | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Passionfruit | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Rambutan | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
| Longan | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
| Guava | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Starfruit | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Bananas | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟠 OK | 🟢 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.