Turnbull tastes juicy melon, avoids onions

Malcolm Turnbull has tucked into some watermelon at the first stop on his campaign trail, safely avoiding any mishaps with onions or lettuce.

The prime minister couldn't refuse to sample some of the luscious fruit at the Brisbane Produce Market in the marginal seat of Moreton on Monday.

"Oh come on, have a try," a fruit vendor called to the PM, who had stopped at the stall to inspect some of the melons.

Mr Turnbull, who told grocers his first job had been selling bananas and loading watermelons at markets in Sydney, broke off a little bit of the fruit and tasted it.

"Mmm, that's a beautiful melon," he said.

Turnbull also sampled some blueberries while making his way around the fruit market, chatting to vendors and fruit handlers.

He determinedly strode past bags of onions, which famously caused his predecessor Tony Abbott much ridicule a few years ago when the then prime minister chomped into a raw onion like it was an apple.

He also skipped the lettuce, which once tripped up Opposition Leader Bill Shorten while making small talk during a meet and greet at a grocery store.

Mr Turnbull marked the visit by posting a photo of him holding a watermelon to his Twitter account, with a message about his budget tax cuts helping small business.