2021-Week 18
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
Central Qld took the lead in avocado production accounting for 51% of the total harvest of some 260,413 trays last week; followed by North Qld with 48.5%; and the remaining 0.5% came from combined regions of Central NSW; South Qld and Sunshine Coast. Whilst this production figure represents a 29% increase on week prior it was also 6.8% lower than forecast for this period. Pricing continues to be quite stable within the market place. Australian Hass are now pipping Shepard production figures accounting for 51% of the avocados that were harvested this week. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $24 -$30/tray, with Hass trays at the upper band of this range. 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 $42 --$50/ctn towards the end of this week and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$27/ctn.
North Qld Shepard avocados are forecast to be lighter again this week with around 60,000 trays forecast. The forecast for the next two week period shows the tray volume dropping to 30K and then 17K as this season for this variety is nearing its end. Conversely the production of Hass this week was forecast to be 286,000 trays and then is forecast to lift to 308K and then 320K for the following fortnight. These figures will be impacted by local weather conditions - isolated showers have been experienced this week, but weather has been much drier which is pleasing. Dry matter test results conducted to date are ranging 21.2 to 26.4% on medium to large fruit - we are continuing to pick accordingly only fruit from blocks that have dry matter results that exceed 23%. The longer term forecast is for further rain - so harvesting may be interrupted from time to time, but we will keep you all abreast of developments on a week-by-week basis.
Presentation in Qld stores this week was again generally good with fruit having good shape and glossy skins -most major retailers are still stocking shepards with changeover to Hass next week. Aldi were stocking Greenskins AvoMax range and this fruit was ticketed as Avocado Greenskins selling at $1.79 each - fruit was very firm, but presented well. They were also stocking the Purpleskin Hass also selling at $1.79 each.
Prepack formulations continue for be a value offer and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets at $7.49 to $7.79 ea; Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $6.50 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 had Shepard and Hass priced at a competitive $1.79 per single piece (NB their Cooparoo store still had fruit ticketed at $1.59ea); 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 $1.80 each or 3 for $5.00. Coles at Redbank Plains had shifted their table top display to just inside the store entry, front and centre.
Avocados Australia have commenced their marketing campaign with the launch of “Our Green Gold” commercial bursting onto television screens now through until the end of June which will be supported by social media, digital advertising and public relations.
SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Cooparoo, Redbank Plains and Forest Lake Displays
Coles stores had Shepard avocado variety priced at $1.80 at one store or multibuy 3 for $5.00 everywhere else
Stores had 5 piece packs at $8.90 and the 1kg I’m Perfect net were selling at $8.90/unit - all packs contained Shepards.
Below: Aldi Cooparoo, Redbank Plains and Forest Lake Displays
Stores stocked NQ Greenskins GMax Avos @ $1.79ea, Hass @ $1.79 and 6 piece Shepard at $7.79
All fruit was well stocked and of good quality with minimal bruising/damage - odd piece found with bruise/body rot or sun blemish.
Below: Woolworths Cooparoo, Goodna and Forest Lake 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 $7.00!
Note Woolworths Goodna shoppers had a “Hass Season has started” notification on the back of their shopper dockets.
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The national banana cut last week decreased again by a further 73,000 cartons to a total of 333,516 cartons harvested. The weather in the past week has seen continued dried up a little in comparison to the last couple of weeks but continued to cool off particularly overnight and early mornings in North Qld. Temperatures have been milder with minimum temperatures ranging 13.1-21.9C and maximum day temps of 23.2 to 28.8C. Rainfall since last Wednesday has seen Walkamin receive a further 10mm; Mareeba a further 1mm; Tully another 65mm; and Innisfail another 59mm falling in isolated showers in each region. With the cooling of the seasonal weather the average bunch age will push out, we are now harvesting at 16 weeks and expect this to push out to 17 weeks. National production is expected to be within the region of 350 to 370,000 cartons this week.
Whilst there is still a presence of bat marking, it is significantly less and we are pleased to say that finally we believe we have turned a corner towards better quality fruit. We have been cutting fruit slightly thinner in order to prevent bronzing damage and as already stated average bunch age is now at 16 weeks. With the cooling of overnight and morning temperatures and slightly shorter days we will see production slow somewhat in the coming weeks. We are continuing to grade out excessive bat scratching and visible bronzing defects to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival to our customers. At Banana Congress next week, we are hoping there is a discussion around how we as individual farmers and as an industry can deal with the damage caused by the bats.
Quality on shelf this week was varied - some lines presented very well with minimal marking and good colour, others dull, with bronzing, sap staining and of course some bat/bird marking as you do doubt see in the photos included.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.99/kg; Woolworths at $3.50 to $3.90/kg and Coles offering fruit at$3.90/kg dependent upon the store locality.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Cooparoo, Redbank Plains and Forest Lake Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.90 - $4.0/kg, with Kids 750g packs also at $3.90
Lady Fingers were $7.90/kg across stores.
Quite a lot of stock was slightly backward, with scarring, rub marking and sap staining evident.
Below: Aldi Cooparoo, Redbank Plains and Forest Lake Displays
All stores had Cavendish @ $3.49-$3.99/kg, again skin marking, rub and sap staining with a percentage of the fruit having a dull appearance.
Lil Snackers packs were priced at $3.29/kg
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $6.99/kg
Below: Woolworths Cooparoo, Goodna and Forest Lake Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/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
