2021-Week 17
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
North Qld maintains the lead in avocado production accounting for 55% of the total harvest of some 201,877 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 43%; and the remaining 2% coming from combined regions of Central NSW; South Qld and Sunshine Coast. Whilst this production figure represents a 29% decrease on last week it has to be expected with the weather conditions that have prevailed over the last 7 to 10 days. 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 this week with around 100,000 to 120,000 trays forecast. The forecast for the next two week period shows the tray volume dropping to 70K and then 30K as this season for this variety is nearing its end. Conversely the production of Hass this week was forecast to be 128,000 trays and then is forecast to lift to 250K and then 290K for the following fortnight. These figures will be impacted by local weather conditions - rain was present at the beginning of this week with some farms, including our own, electing not to harvest during the wet to minimise the development of nodule damage. However, whilst not beaming sunshine, the weather has improved slightly and has been fine since Wednesday so we have commenced our 2021 Hass harvest. Dry matter test results conducted to date are ranging 21.4 to 25.1% on large fruit - so farms are spot picking large fruit from a few blocks. The longer term forecast is for further rain - so harvesting may be interrupted from time to time, so keep us informed of your harvest plans.
Presentation in stores this week was again generally good with Shepards having good shape and glossy skins. We did find a few count 28’s that were a little misshapen and a few with either bruises or rots.
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 $7.49 ea; Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $7.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $7/bag whilst Coles had both their 5 piece pack and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $8.90ea.
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 $1.80 ea to $2.00 ea depending upon store location; whilst Coles in Qld continued their offer of Shepards $2 each or 3 for $5.00. It should also be noted that a couple of the Aldi stores visited had commenced stocking new season Hass supplied by Purple Skins - this fruit as you will see in photos had noticeable nodule damage (it had obviously been picked whilst the fruit has been wet) and was rock hard - ticket price was $1.59 each.
SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Above: Coles Beenleigh, Indooroopilly and Loganholme Displays
Coles stores had Shepard avocado variety priced at $2.00 or multibuy 3 for $5.00
Stores had 5 piece packs at $8.90 and the 1kg I’m Perfect net were selling at $8.90/unit.
Above: Aldi Beenleigh, Indooroopilly and Loganholme Displays
Stores stocked NQ Shepards @ $1.79ea, Hass @ $1.59 and 6 piece Shepard at $7.49
All fruit was well stocked and of good quality with minimal bruising/damage - odd piece found with bruise/body rot.
Above: Woolworths Beenleigh, Indooroopilly and Loganholme Displays
All stores had Shepard avocados at $2.00ea - a degree of bruising and rots amongst bottom layers of stock.
5 piece packs at $7.50/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch for $7.50!
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The national banana cut last week decreased by almost 38,000 cartons to a total of 406,557 cartons harvested. The weather in the past week has seen continued showery weather, overcast skies and cooler temperatures which is negatively impacting growth rates in North Qld. Temperatures have been milder with minimum temperatures ranging 17.5-22.9C and maximum day temps of 24 to 28.7C. Rainfall since last Wednesday has seen Walkamin receive a further 37mm; Mareeba a further 57mm; Tully another 340mm; and Innisfail another 380mm all of which will impact fruit bloom and will continue to hinder each farms ability to harvest so national production is expected to remain steady or possibly decline to within the range of 360,000 to 380,000 cartons this week.
On our own farm we have been dealing with continuing to grade out bat damage - this protected species has caused significant damage this year. Now in light of recent and prevailing weather we are seeing growth rates slow with average bunch age increasing from 15 weeks to 16, and if cooler, wet weather persists bunch age will very soon be out to 17 weeks - which ultimately means reduced output from the farm. The other defect we are starting to see an increase in with the wet weather and increasing bunch age is bronzing - we will most certainly be trying to grade out what is visible at time of pack, but this is a progressive defect that worsens as the fruit ripens and matures.
Quality on shelf this week has improved slightly with definitely less visible bat marking (more sporadic) , on some lines there is a presence of 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 $3.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.00/kg and Coles offering fruit between $1.99 and $3.90/kg dependent upon the store locality.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Above: Coles Beenleigh, Indooroopilly and Loganholme Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.50 - $4.0/kg, with Kids 750g packs also at $4.00
Lady Fingers were $7.90/kg across stores.
Quite a lot of stock was slightly backward, with scarring, rub marking and sap staining evident.
Above: Aldi Beenleigh, Indooroopilly and Loganholme Displays
All stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/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 $2.99/kg
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $6.99/kg
Above: Woolworths Beenleigh, Indooroopilly and Loganholme Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/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 $5.00/kg