Watermelon is January's star fruit, says Glenn Forsyth. Photo: 123RF
While much of the country has been having a miserable summer, it does not seem to be having an effect on supplies of fruit and vegetables so far.
Shoppers can now reap the benefits of warm weather early in the summer with a large variety of produce on sale.
RNZ's fruit and veggie expert, Glenn Forsyth, who shares his insights twice weekly on First Up, said while some crops were nearing their end bumper crops of others were now appearing on produce shelves.
The fruit star of the month, according to Forsyth, is watermelon. He believed the crop would be "a cracker" this year and as a source of vitamin C and potassium it was a great addition to the diet.
It was also a perfect food for taking to the beach and barbecue.
"You'll start to see some favourable pricing from now .. .so do enjoy."
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As strawberries and blueberries finished stone fruits and New Zealand melon were coming to the fore.
There would be a gap in apricot supply as Hawke's Bay's crops ran out and Central Otago's weren't quite ready.
However, the latter region was "pumping with cherries" with smaller fruit in punnets good value, Forsyth said.
Three varieties of nectarine - honey, classic and white flesh - were available, alongside varieties of peaches.
Varieties of plums already on sale included: black diamond, purple majesty and fortune while primetime and black doris would be available in about a week.
Black doris plums will soon be on shelves. Photo: Webbs Fruit
New season rock and honeydew melons and avocadoes were also plentiful.
US oranges and lemons and grapes from Australia have started arriving in the country.
For vegetables kumara supplies dry up in January before the new season starts next month, Forsyth said.
However, other vegetables in good supply included sweetcorn, green beans, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbages and mushrooms.
Cucumbers are plentiful and can sell for as cheap as 99 cents, Forsyth said.