THE nights are getting chillier as autumn sets in and with the change of season comes a whole new range of produce that will soon be at their best.

Red gala apples are now appearing at Warwick Farmers Market while granny Smith and red bell apples are starting to be graded at Stanthorpe.

Owner Alf Turrisi said shoppers could expect to see granny Smith apples in store this week, with the red bell variety not too far behind.

Mr Turrisi said it had been a good season for apples and picking the stock up just one or two days before it's sold helps to keep it fresh for shoppers.

"A lot of people often make the comment that the stuff lasts in the fridge,” Mr Turrisi said.

"A lot of times you might buy from the chain stores, it is a piece of premium fruit but because it's used up three or four days of its shelf life.”

Grapes are also at their prime right now, as the last of the stone fruit and mango produce is sold through the markets.

"Aussie grapes are in full swing now and we have seen the price go down,” Mr Turrisi said.

"Early on in the year they were $12 a kilo and we're selling down to $4 now.”

In a couple of weeks, shoppers can also expect to see citrus fruit in stores including mandarins, oranges and grapefruit.

Mr Turrisi said the first batch of new season citrus was about three weeks away as he wanted to wait until Australian growers were ready, rather than importing the fruit.

"I could have had mandarins into the markets a month ago but that would have come from Israel and I don't believe in putting overseas fruit into the market,” he said.

"A lot of times the overseas fruit can be expensive but I decide to support Australian farmers and in a way it helps people learn the seasons.”

The mandarins at Warwick Farmers Market are sourced from north Queensland including areas around Bundaberg and Bowen.

"That's where we get those big mandarins and loose skin and sweet fruit,” he said.

Mr Turrisi also tries to source lesser-known products for the markets to give shoppers something new to try.

At the moment there are banana shallots and cipollini onions in store.

"It's a flat onion and not as pungent, they're good for cooking whole and with a roast meal or a steak,” Mr Turrisi said.

"You can bake them in the oven and balsamic vinegar.”

Mr Turrisi invited shoppers to visit the markets and try the Australian produce on offer.

Warwick Farmers Market runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 6am-noon on Lyons St.

Aratula Farmers Market is open every day 7am-6pm at 6744 Cunningham Highway.