This has been a momentous month on the Market as we celebrate our 50th anniversary.

During December, however, the traders have little time to ease up - it's a hectic few weeks in the run up to Christmas. 

All the essentials are in stock - from chestnuts to Brussels sprouts. 

The colder months benefit the citrus crop. You will find fruits such as bergamot, cedro and finger limes along with everyone's favourites - the leafy clementines. Not long now until blood oranges make an appearance. 

Brassicas are in fine form. Below is a picture of the gorgeous January King. 

And these are heritage kales from Lincolnshire. 

Sprouts are available in all formats: on the stalk, by the sack / net and prepped.

December is a good month for radicchios. They say Tardivo is the King of the radicchios, grown in the Veneto region. But the specimen below is actually cultivated in Lincolnshire, where Molyneux Kale Company is now offering it for sale after trials. This is the same company that grows kalettes, a delectable and increasingly popular cross between a kale and Brussels sprout. 

Other bitter leaves include puntarelle (below) and cime di rapa. 

Roots include bunched carrots, all the beetroots, Breakfast radish, Jerusalem artichokes, oca, chervil root and parsley root. 

Winter tomato varieties include Marinda, Camone and these ribbed brown Marmande from Spain.

There is still a huge range of squash available. Below are the mighty Muscade, typically imported from France and Portugal. 

On the fruit front, English apples and pears are a definite highlight. You will find Cox, Braeburn, russets, Pink Lady and more. Conference pears are making way for the Comice variety.

This is also a great month for Turkish pomegranates, Turkish quince and lychees. 

Persimmon / kaki fruit are also a good call. 

You will also find a good range of wild mushrooms such as ceps, trompettes and pied de mouton.

Along with the chestnuts (fresh or vacuum-packed), American walnuts are also in season.

The next few weeks will see the arrival of some fantastic ingredients such as Seville oranges, blood oranges and Yorkshire forced rhubarb. 

See you in the new year for our first Market Report of 2025.