2021-Week 24

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AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

This week North Qld again supplied the majority of avocado production accounting for 53% of the total harvest of some 415,925 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 45%;  and the remaining 2% came from combined regions of South Qld; Sunshine Coast and Tristate made a start.  This production figure represents a 3% increase on week prior and also a 9% increase on what was forecast for this period.  As of today, there is still a significant volume of fruit in all markets and we expect current pricing to be maintained.     All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1- $1.20 per piece, which from a customer’s perspective continues represents astounding value. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$16/tray.  Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $5 --$10 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$25/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size. 

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 353,000 - 360,000 trays and then is forecast to be in the vicinity of 370-380K/week in the following fortnight. 

Presentation in Qld stores this week was somewhat mixed in terms of quality; whilst there is a strong focus on the Hass variety as the main display, there was a continued presence of Greenskin’s Gmax avocado varietal in all three majors and in most instances the Gmax was at a higher ticket price than the Hass. What is missing at all stores during this time of price promotion is a percentage of the display that is ripe and ready for use - majority of fruit is firm and will still require another 2 to 3 days before it is ready to enjoy which in some cases will equate to lost sales opportunities, especially for the new category purchaser, who may be tempted by price; but do not know enough about the fruit.

This week we saw more activity amongst the Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets with an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $5.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.50-$4.90 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $3.90ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.00 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $4.90 to $5.50/bag. Despite very keen pricing on most of these lines, there were a lot of packs marked down suggesting customers were opting for the larger loose options - hence orders for these lines have reduced.

Price has continued to be the driving factor whilst volumes are high. In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld had Greenskin Gmax Avos and Hass back at $0.99ea;  Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.20 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld had a multi buy deal of 3/$3.00 or a piece price of $1.20ea meanwhile selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.

Avocados Australia are continuing their marketing campaign with the airing of “Our Green Gold” television commercials through until the end of June which are being supported by social media, digital advertising and public relations activity. Remember each and everyone of as part of this vibrant and growing industry needs to be actively promoting consumption and ideas for use in whatever way we can.

SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK  

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Garden City, Chermside and Miranda (NSW) Displays

  • Coles stores had Greenskins Gmax Avos priced at $2 ea and Hass avocados priced at just $1.20ea or 3 for $3. There was some poor quality fruit on show in a couple of the stores visited this week which appeared to be a result of age.

  • Stores had 5 piece packs at $4.50 to $5.50 depending upon location.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Chermside and Miranda (NSW) Displays

  • Stores stocked NQ Greenskins GMax Avos @ $0.99 -$1.29ea, Hass @ $0.99 and 6 piece Shepard at $5.99.

  • All fruit was well stocked and of good quality with minimal bruising/damage - light nodule damage present on some lines.

  • Most lines packed between 1st and 8th June - meaning fruit on display was between 8 and 15 days old.

Below: Woolworths Garden City, Chermside and Miranda (NSW) Displays

  • Most stores had Greenskins Gmax Green skin avos @$2 ea and Hass avocados at $1.20-$2.00ea on Wednesday - a presence of nodule damage on most lines in varying degrees.

    5 piece packs at $5.50/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $4.90ea.

  • Most lines packed 27th May through to 3rd June meaning fruit was between 13 to 20 days old.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The weather in the past week has seen a few drizzles of rain around Innisfail and Tully with falls of 8-12 mm across the week with dry weather experienced around Innisfail and Walkamin. The temperature range for this last week was a touch warmer with almost a 10C difference between the coolest and warmest early temps experienced ranging 12 to 21.5C throughout these regions and daytime temperature ranges of 22.1 to 29.6C. There has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week as the weather has been milder.

The national cut for last week was 1.13% higher than the previous week at 363K cartons so supply is again still a little tight. It is expected to be similar next week, within a range of 360-380K cartons. Our harvest team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are continuing to grade out 10-15% with heavier marking. We are continuing to harvest fruit with 16-17 weeks bunch age and are also continuing to packing out approximately 10-12% of our crop as large fruit (200-220mm) currently.

Quality on shelf this week showed a degree of improvement with less minor skin marking overall, colour was generally good and bloom overall generally still bright though it won’t be long until the fruit is showing the effects of our cooler winter growing conditions.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the shorter supply with cavendish retail tickets still at or above $4/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $4.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg; whilst Coles had pulled back their ticket price to $4.00/kg in the stores visited in Qld and NSW this week. 
















RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Garden City, Chermside and Miranda(NSW) Displays

  • Cavendish was priced at $4.00-$4.50/kg depending upon location, with Kids 750g packs also at $4 - $4.50/kg.

  • Lady Fingers were $7.90/kg across stores.

  • In stores visited this week colour development was better, still a presence of with scarring, bat marking, rub marking and sap staining evident. The odd cluster found with dull bloom.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Chermside and Miranda (NSW) Displays

  • Stores had Cavendish @ $4.49/kg , again slight skin marking, rub and sap staining

  • Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $6.99/kg

Below: Woolworths Garden City, Chermside and Miranda(NSW) Displays

  • Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50-4.90/kg depending upon store location. Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $2.50 but minimal stock of this line found. Displays were generally well presented with most stores utilizing the new bright shelf strips which highlight for customer stock that is ready to eat now and stock that will be ready in a couple of days - a little minor neck damage and skin scarring observed.

  • Chermside had some fruit that was quite dull and even had the very early stages of crown end mould which suggests this fruit is old.

  • Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - a little bronzing evident on some clusters.