2021-Week 13

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QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld maintains the lead in production with their Shepard season accounting for 85% of the total production of some 266,000 last week; followed by Central Qld with 15%. Pricing is still trending downwards within the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray, with $30 being absolute top. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $14 --$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 avocado production for next week is forecast to be within a range of 220,000 to 230,000 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 162,000 to 213,000 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 had a red hot ticket price of $1.49 per piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Shepards ticketed at $1.90 ea whilst Coles in Qld had Shepards $1.90 each or their multibuy offer of 3 for $5.00 was extended through to Easter. It was also noted that the Maluma Hass, branded as Autumn Avocado’s marketed by Mackays, were on a number of Coles shelves also retailing at the same price as the Shepards ie $1.90 ea - fruit observed this week was very firm and a few pieces had sun blemish.

SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK  

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Above: Coles Browns Plains Display

  • Coles stores had Shepard avocado variety priced at 3 for $5.00 or singularly for $1.90ea

  • Stores had 5 piece packs at $8.90 and the 1kg I’m Perfect net were selling at $6.90/unit.

Above: Aldi Browns Plains Display

  • Stores stocked NQ Shepards @ $1.49ea and 6 piece Shepard at $7.99. Fruit supplied by Greenskins packed 18th March = 13 days old, count 23/25

  • All fruit was well stocked and of good quality with minimal bruising/damage, a little nodule damage present - odd piece found with bruise/body rot.

Above: Woolworths Browns Plains Display

  • All stores had Shepard avocados at $1.90ea- Count 28 supplied by grower Cadorin Orchards - odd piece with bruising.

  • 5 piece packs at $8.00/ pack - 3 different suppliers of this line on shelf, and 1kg Odd Bunch on special for $7.50

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national banana cut last week was fairly stable with just under 363,000 cartons harvested - a slight increase on the previous week of 2,000 cartons. 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 18.3 - 24C and maximum day temps of 27.2 to 33.4C. 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 has improved somewhat on previous trading weeks with less dull, grey/bronzed fruit and skin marking was also less than previous weeks. The Woolworths offering in this centre was best on show this week.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.29/kg; Woolworths at $3.30/kg and Coles offering fruit at $3.50/kg in the centre visited - only one store visited due to Brisbane being in Covid lockdown.










RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Above: Coles Browns Plains Display

  • Cavendish was priced at $3.50, with Kids 750g packs also at $3.50

  • No Lady Fingers in stock at this store today.

  • Quite a lot of stock was slightly backward, with scarring, rub marking, sap staining

Above: Aldi Browns Plains Display

  • All stores had Cavendish @ $3.29, again skin marking, rub and sap staining. Fruit sizing also varied significantly.

  • Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $5.99

Above: Woolworths Browns Plains Display

  • Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.30/kg and Lil Sana kids banded clusters at the same price. Banana displays were brighter in terms of colour and bloom at this store - there was a presence of minor skin marking, little bat/bird damage but overall very good presentation

  • Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg

  • Stores also stocked Red tip variety, ticketed at $4.50 and Organic variety at $4.90