2021-Week 16
/QUICKLINKS
AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 66.8% of the total production of some 282,888 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 31.9%; with the remaining 1% coming from Central NSW and South Qld. Whilst this production represents a 20.6% increase, this includes all varieties including Shepard ((253K), Maluma (15K) and new season Hass (13K). Pricing continues to be quite stable within the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray. 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 avocados are forecast to be lighter again next week with around 100,000 trays forecast. The forecast for the week thereafter is 70K with the season for this variety nearing its end. Conversely the production of Hass over this same two week period is forecast to lift to 134K and then 258K in the same timeframe - however these figures will not be accurate if growers haven’t updated their forecasts due to the amount of rain. Please make sure you send us your dry matter test results before you pack anything for the supermarkets as we need to share them with our retail partners. You should also be aware that Coles Victoria has purchased equipment to enable them to conduct dry matter testing on intake - so be assured that any fruit destined for Melbourne will be checked in the first few weeks of supply so we would like to avoid rejections for this by making sure our fruit is good to go from the start.
The weather in far north Queensland has not been conducive to getting a start on picking and packing our Hass avocados with rain in excess of 100-150mm on several days and lighter showers every other day - for this reason we have elected to hold off for dry weather as if me make a start the result is a higher level of nodule damage and there is also a risk of increased rots. We are hoping to commence early next week. Sadly not all growers in the region are withholding from picking in the rain.
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. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets at $6.99 ea on special and Woolworths have utilised their prepack range this week to attract customers with the 5 pack on special for $7.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $6.50/bag.
In terms of Shepard retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld price was the most competitive at $1.79 per single piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Shepards ticketed between $1.60 ea to $2.00 ea depending upon store location; whilst Coles in Qld continued their offer of Shepards $1.90 each or 3 for $5.00.
SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Above: Coles Lutwyche, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Coles stores had Shepard avocado variety priced at $1.90 or multibuy 3 for $5.00
Stores had 5 piece packs at $8.90 and the 1kg I’m Perfect net were selling at $6.90/unit.
Above: Aldi Lutwyche, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Stores stocked NQ Shepards @ $1.79ea and 6 piece Shepard at $6.99
All fruit was well stocked and of good quality with minimal bruising/damage - odd piece found with bruise/body rot.
Above: Woolworths Lutwyche, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
All stores had Shepard avocados at $1.80ea - a degree of bruising and rots amongst bottom layers of stock.
5 piece packs at $7.50/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch on special for $6.50!
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The national banana cut last week increased by a almost 44,000 cartons to a total of 444,343 cartons harvested. The weather in the past week has been overcast and very wet in a number of areas in the far North with up to 700mm rain across a three day period; temperatures were milder with minimum temperatures ranging 16.3-22C and maximum day temps of 23 to 30.1C. This week of inclement weather will not help fruit bloom and will hinder each farms ability to harvest so national production is expected to decline somewhat to within the range of 380,000 to 400,000 cartons.
Quality on shelf this week has improved slightly with definitely less visible bat marking (more sporadic) , on some lines there is a presence of sooty mould, rust thrip damage, minor neck injuries and general skin marking including point scarring and rub.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.99/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg and Coles offering fruit at $4.00/kg dependent upon the store locality. The independent at one outlet had cavendish at $3.29/kg.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Above: Coles Lutwyche, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.30 - $4.50/kg, with Kids 750g packs also at $3.30
Lady Fingers were $7.90/kg across stores.
Quite a lot of stock was slightly backward, with scarring, rub marking and sap staining evident. Also some very long clusters exceeding 300mm in length.
Above: Aldi Lutwyche, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
All stores had Cavendish @ $3.99/kg, again skin marking, rub and sap staining with a percentage of the fruit having a dull appearance. Fruit sizing also varied significantly.
Lil Snackers packs were priced at $3.49/kg
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $5.99/kg
Above: Woolworths Lutwyche, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.90/kg and Lil Sana kids banded clusters at the same price - there was a degree of skin marking, little bat/bird damage, sooty mould and a fairly high percentage of backward fruit
Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg
Stores also stocked Red tip variety, ticketed at $5.00/kg and Organic variety at $4.90/kg