2021-Week 26
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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 421,358 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 43%; and the remaining 4% came from combined regions of South Qld; Sunshine Coast, Tamborine and Northern Rivers made a start. This production figure represents a 6% increase on week prior and also an 11% 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 $11 -$16/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $4 --$7 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$20/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.
The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 370,000 - 380,000 trays and then is forecast to be in the vicinity of 370-390K/week in the following fortnight.
Presentation in Qld stores this week was somewhat mixed both in terms of quality and stock availability with Brisbane and Townsville entering lockdown from 6pm Tuesday 28th June for three days. The humble Hass avocado is still the main attraction though both Coles and Woolworths have continued with having presence of Greenskin’s Gmax avocado at a higher ticket price than the Hass. What continues to be missing at all stores during this time of price promotion is a percentage of the display that is ripe and ready for use - the majority of fruit continues to be 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 the current low prices.
This week we again saw 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 $4.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.50 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $5.50ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.00 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at a super $3.90/bag.
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 Hass back at $0.99ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.00 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld had Hass at a piece price of $1 ea meanwhile selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.
SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Sunnybank Hills, Browns Plains and Cooparoo Displays
Coles stores had Greenskins Gmax Avos priced at $2 ea and Hass avocados priced at just $1.00ea. There was some poor quality fruit on show in a couple of the stores visited this week. Fruit found with packed dates of 18th June through to 22nd June which meant fruit was 7 to 11 days old.
Stores had 5 piece packs at $4.50 and 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $5.50 each.
Below: Aldi Sunnybank Hills, Browns Plains and Cooparoo Displays
Stores stocked either Purpleskin or Freshmax (Dorian Fruit) Hass @ $0.99ea and 6 piece Shepard nets at $4.99.
All fruit was well stocked and of good quality with minimal bruising/damage - light nodule damage present on some lines.
Fruit on display was between 7 and 15 days old.
Below: Woolworths Sunnybank Hills, Browns Plains and Cooparoo Displays
Most stores had Greenskins Gmax Green skin avos @$2 ea and Hass avocados at $1.00ea on Wednesday - a presence of nodule damage on most lines in varying degrees.
5 piece packs at $5.00/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed on special this week at $3.90ea.
Woolworths cooparoo had a great display - tinaroo falls fruit
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The weather in the past week had been relatively dry until Wednesday and Thursday which has seen 140 to 190mm fall across the two days around Innisfail and Tully whilst Mareeba and Walkamin districts have experienced just 1-3mm on a daily basis. The temperature range for this last week was a touch warmer with early temps experienced ranging 14.6 to 21.1C across the region; whilst daytime temperatures ranged between 23 to 27.1C. 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 approximately 5% higher than the previous week at a total of 408K cartons, so supply can be said to be relatively steady by way of comparison. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 390-410K 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% with heavier marking. We are still harvesting fruit with 16-17 weeks bunch age.
Quality on shelf this week showed a degree of improvement with less minor skin marking overall, colour was generally good (some stores with too much of the semi-colour or “Eat Later” rather than the eat now on offer) though starting to see the presence of some dull bloom clusters throughout. Signage found on display in both Coles and Woolworths stores alerting their customers of the impact of cold winter temperatures on bananas during growth resulting in a dull bloom, yet fruit is still sweet to eat.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the continued shorter supply with cavendish retail tickets still at or above $4/kg though Aldi had pulled back their price point. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg; whilst Coles had pulled back their ticket price to $4.00 - $4.50/kg in the stores visited in Qld this week.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Sunnybank Hills, Browns Plains and Cooparoo Displays
Cavendish was priced at $4.00/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters also at $4/kg. Quality across stores was quite mixed - a percentage with heavier skin marking; some clusters with dull appearance.
Stores had Winter Banana Update notices up for customers relating to dull bloom at this time of year.
Lady Fingers were $6.90/kg.
Old promo signage still on display at Browns Plains - former promo whereby every kg of bananas sold on Saturday 1st May Coles donated 10c to Little Athletics Australia.
Below: Aldi Sunnybank Hills, Browns Plains and Cooparoo Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg , again slight skin marking, rub and sap staining
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $6.99/kg
Below: Woolworths Sunnybank Hills, Browns Plains and Cooparoo Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00-4.50/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 bronzing observed in some stores.
Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - some clusters with rub marking. Red Tips ticketed at $5.50/kg as were organic bananas.
