2021-Week 20
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
North Qld is not ready to let go of the lead in avocado production accounting for 63% of the total harvest of some 459,180 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 36%; and the remaining 1% came from combined regions of South Qld and Sunshine Coast. This production figure represents a 15% increase on week prior and a 9% increase on what was forecast for this period. The volume of fruit in all markets has significantly increased and pricing has and is coming back quickly. Australian Hass are now truly in season with other available varietals in much lower volumes; with hass production figures accounting for 89% of the avocados that were harvested this week. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $20 -$26/tray (note the top is closer to $24, few sales of very good quality at $26). Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $14 --$18 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $40 --$50/ctn towards the end of this week and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$18/ctn.
The production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 390,000 trays and then is forecast to lift to 413K and then 406K per week in the following fortnight. Dry matter test results conducted in the last week are ranging 22.1 to 25.3% on medium to large fruit - we are continuing to pick accordingly only fruit from blocks that have returned dry matter results that exceed 23%.
Presentation in Qld stores this week was good with a greater focus on the Hass variety as the main display, but we have also seen the Greenskin Gmax avocado varietal in all three majors this week - displays seen of this variety to date do not have any consumer information pertaining to how this variety ripens or what it looks like as it ripens.
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 $6.99 ea; Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $6.50 - $7.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $6 to $7/bag depending upon location; whilst Coles had both their 5 piece pack and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $8.90ea.
In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Greenskin Gmax Avos and Hass priced at a competitive $1.49 per single piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.50 ea to $2.00 ea depending upon store location; whilst Coles in Qld continued their offer of Greenskin Gmax Avos and Hass at $1.80 each or 3 for $5.00. Coles is running a late week special with radio and press advertising supporting with an offer of Hass 4 for $5.00 - this special is on offer in SE Qld, NSW and Victoria.
Whilst the current market situation may appear a little gloomy with the volume of fruit available and the decline in pricing, it is pleasing to see that 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 all of which aim to increase awareness and consumption. In addition to this, the major chains each have their own marketing strategies planned for moving increased volumes through this period.
SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK
COLES HOT OFFER - AUSTRALIAN HASS AVOCADOS 4 FOR $5 LATE WEEK SPECIAL COMMENCING 21-05-21 THRU TO mONDAY IN QLD, NSW AND VIC - SUPPORTED BY RADIO AND NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Garden City, Springwood and Carindale Displays
Coles stores had Greenskins Gmax Avos and Hass avocado varieties priced at $1.80 or 3 for $5.00 multibuy offer
Stores had 5 piece packs at $8.90 and the 1kg I’m Perfect net were selling at $8.90/unit.
As seen above, Coles are running a late week special in SE Qld, NSW and Vic on new season Hass 4 for $5 which is being supported with newspaper and radio advertising. Special commences in stores today 21/05 and continue through to Monday at this stage.
Below: Aldi Garden City, Springwood and Carindale Displays
Stores stocked NQ Greenskins GMax Avos @ $1.49ea, Hass @ $1.49 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 or sun blemish.
Below: Woolworths Garden City, Springwood and Carindale Displays
Most stores had Greenskins Gmax Green skin avos and Hass avocados at $1.50ea - a presence of nodule damage on most lines of hass to varying degrees.
5 piece packs at $7.50/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch for $7.00!
New season Australian Hass header cards herald the start of the Hass season not all stores had erected these as yet.
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The national cut for last week pushed just over 374,000 cartons which was a very much needed increase of 29% or some 84,000 cartons on the week prior. The weather in the past week has seen minimal rain fall across all North Qld growing regions - the heaviest falls ranging 6 to 20mm per day in the last three days particularly in Innisfail and Tully. The temperatures have continued to be milder with morning temperatures ranging 13 to 21.1C and daytime temperature ranges of 23 to 28.8C. With the cooling of the seasonal weather this slows the growth rate and pushes the average bunch age out, we are now harvesting at 16 weeks and expect this to push out to 17 weeks in another week or so. National production is expected to be within the region of 340 to 360,000 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. The harvesting team have been proactively 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. Our packing crew in the shed have been vigilant in continuing to grade out excessive bat scratching and visible bronzing defects to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival to our customers.
Quality on shelf this week was varied - some lines presented very well with minimal marking and good colour; whilst others were dull, with evidence of bronzing, sap staining, rub marking, neck damage and of course still a little bat/bird marking as you do doubt see in the photos included.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the shorter supply we have experienced in relation to cavendish with all majors on sell ticket price on or above $4/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $4.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.00 to $4.90/kg and Coles offering fruit at $4.30 to $4.90/kg dependent upon the store locality.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Garden City, Springwood and Carindale Displays
Cavendish was priced at $4.30-$4.90/kg depending upon location, with Kids 750g packs also at $4.30/kg.
Lady Fingers were $7.90/kg across stores.
Quite a lot of stock at the stores visited this week that were more on the backward side in terms of colour development, with scarring, rub marking and sap staining evident. A few lines also found with sooty mould. Some very dull unappealing fruit found in a few stores.
Below: Aldi Garden City, Springwood and Carindale Displays
All stores had Cavendish @ $4.49/kg, again skin marking, rub and sap staining with a percentage of the fruit having a dull appearance and being backward
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $6.99/kg
Below: Woolworths Garden City, Springwood and Carindale Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00- $4.90/kg depending upon store location. Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $4.50. Displays generally presented better and fruit was cleaner with better condition - there was a degree of skin marking, little bat/bird damage and some semi-condition fruit.
Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg
Stores also stocked Red tip variety, ticketed at $5.50/kg and Organic variety at $5.90/kg
