2021-Week 12
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
North Qld maintains the lead in production with their Shepard season accounting for 82% of the total production of some 278,000 last week; followed by Central Qld with 17%; with the remaining 1% coming from Central NSW. Pricing has continued its downward trend as volumes increase in the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray, odd $32/tray around. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $16 --$20 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $40 --$45/ctn and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$30/ctn.
North Qld Shepard avocados are forecast to be lighter next week with Easter late in the week with around 230,000 to 240,000 trays expected from the region. The forecast for the next two week period shows the tray volume starting to decline slightly with harvests within the range of 210,000 to 220,00 per week. Presentation in stores this week was again generally good with fruit having good shape and glossy skins.
Prepack formulations offer a great opportunity for both the retailer and the customer alike - offering real value and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. All major supermarkets now have their 5 or 6 piece prepacks as well as their value 1kg nets filled with shepards.
In terms of Shepard retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld price was a competitive $1.99 per piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Shepards ticketed at $2.20 ea whilst Coles in Qld had Shepards $2.00 each. Coles ran a late week special, running Friday to Monday with 3 for $5.00 in Qld and NSW stores to stimulate demand.
The humble Shepard has been copping some slack in the media this week, first there was an article in “Delicious” magazine that reported a few incorrect facts about the Shepard and then Brisbane radio station B105’s breakfast crew painted an unflattering picture of the qualities and flavour of the Shepard. Not happy with this, Rock Ridge sprang into action alerting Avocados Australia so that as an industry these two media outlets could be approached and the facts put straight and we also delivered a tray of beautiful Shepards to the radio station which gained an on-air apology from the team and a declaration about how good the Shepard avocado is!
SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Above: Coles Mt Ommaney, Indooroopilly and Fairfield Displays
Coles stores had Shepard avocado variety priced at $2.00ea
All stores had 5 piece packs at $7.90 and the stores who were stocking the 1kg I’m Perfect net were selling at $6.90/unit.
Above: Aldi Mt Ommaney, Indooroopilly and Fairfield Displays
Stores stocked both NQ Shepards @ $1.99ea, Lil Snackers packs at $2.99 and 6 piece Shepard at $7.99. Fruit supplied by Freshmax/DBM with Ferraro Farming fruit packed 10th March = 14 days old, count 23/25 and a little Howe Farming fruit.
All fruit was well stocked and of good quality with minimal bruising/damage - odd piece found with bruise/body rot.
Above: Woolworths Mt Ommaney, Indooroopilly and Moorooka Displays
All stores had Shepard avocados at $2.20ea - Count 20 supplied by Greenskins packed 11th March (13 days old); Mackays (Leadwood packed 12th March = 12 days old and Howe Farming packed 8th and 9th March = 15-16 days old) - a degree of bruising and rots amongst bottom layers of stock.
5 piece packs at $7 to $8.00/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch for $8.00
3 Piece Large Hass packs at $8.00ea
Organic packs (mini 550g pack) at $12.90ea
Woolworths new shepard avocado header cards provide valuable info to customers
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The national banana cut last week was fairly stable with just under 361,000 cartons harvested. National production is expected to be within the range of 360-370K cartons next week. The weather in the past week has been milder with minimum temperatures ranging 18.0 - 24.3C and maximum day temps of 28.9 to 34.1C. Minimal rain in the last week though more is forecast late in the week particularly for the Innisfail and Tully regions.
Quality on shelf this week was again quite disappointing with dull, grey/bronzed fruit with various skin markings being a common finding particularly in Coles and Aldi stores - this is most likely as a result of recent weather conditions. Pleased to say however that there is less visible bat/bird marked fruit being seen on retail shelves.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.29/kg; Woolworths at $3.30 to $3.90/kg and Coles offering fruit at $3.50 to $3.90/kg dependent upon the store locality. As already stated, quality varied greatly with a number of lines having visible skin marking including neck damage, sap staining, rust thrip damage and rub marking.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Above: Coles Mt Ommaney, Indooroopilly and Fairfield Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.90 at Indooroopilly and $3.50 at Mt Ommaney and Fairfield, with Kids 750g packs at the same prices respectively.
Lady Fingers were $7.90/kg across all stores.
Quite a lot of stock was dull, greying, with neck injuries, scarring, rub marking, sap staining and what appeared to be sooty mould was evident on both cavendish and lady fingers.
Above: Aldi Mt Ommaney, Indooroopilly and Fairfield Displays
All stores had Cavendish @ $3.29, again skin marking, rub, sap staining as well as quite a lot of backward fruit. Fruit sizing also varied significantly.
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $5.99 and Kids 750g packs at $2.99
Above: Woolworths Mt Ommaney, Indooroopilly and Moorooka Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.30/kg at both Mt Ommaney and Indooroopilly stores, however they were $3.90/kg at Moorooka and Lil Sana kids banded clusters at the same price respectively. Banana displays were brighter in terms of colour and bloom at these stores - there was a degree of skin marking, little bat/bird damage but overall a better presentation.
Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg at Mt Ommaney and Moorooka and $7.50/kg at Indooroopilly.
Stores also stocked Red tip variety, ticketed at $4.50 and Organic variety at $4.90