2021-Week 28
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
This week North Qld again supplied the majority of avocado production accounting for 52% of the total harvest of some 423,281 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 39%; and the remaining 8% came from combined regions of South Qld; Sunshine Coast, Tamborine, Northern Rivers and Tristate made a start. This production figure represents a 23% increase on week prior and also a 7% increase on what was forecast for this period. Despite the national production increasing for last week, the markets remain relatively tidy with a slight tightening of pricing. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1- $1.20 per piece, which from a customer’s perspective continues to represent exceptional value. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $11 -$18/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $6 --$10 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$28/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.
The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be considerably lighter in the vicinity of 340,000 - 350,000 trays and then the forecast shows a slight decline each week for the next three weeks thereafter so pricing may firm up a little more.
Presentation in Qld stores this week varied. 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.
Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets offer 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 $4.90 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $5.50ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $4.90 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 featuring in their catalogue this week as a full page feature; 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 whilst similarly selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.
SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Forest Lake, Sunnybank Hills and Mt Ommaney 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 30th June through to 7th July which meant fruit was 7 to 14 days old.
Stores had 5 piece packs at $4.90 and 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $5.50 each.
Below: Aldi Forest Lake, Sunnybank Hills and Mt Ommaney 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 6 and 14 days old.
Below: Woolworths Forest Lake, Sunnybank Hills and Mt Ommaney 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. Odd bruised piece found.
Fruit age 11 to 15 days old.
5 piece packs at $4.90/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed on special this week at $3.90ea.
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The weather in the past week has been a touch cooler with early morning temperatures ranging 14.6-20.5C whilst day time temperatures have ranged 21.5 to 28C Mareeba has been relatively dry; whilst Tully and Innisfail experienced heavier rainfalls late last week in the vicinity of 50-78mm respectively but drier since and Walkamin districts have experienced daily showers of 3-4mm - the rain is helping keep it a little warmer. Colder temperatures are forecast for late July, early August which is when we may see a heavier presence of underpeel chill. With the continuation of rather mild weather, there has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week - so we are still ranging 16-17 weeks on farm.
The national cut for last week was approximately 5.4% lower than the previous week at a total of 395K cartons. 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.
There was a noticeable difference between lines on shelf this week at the major supermarkets - some lines with heavy bronzing on some clusters; others with a presence of light sooty mould and minor bruising. Colour was generally good. 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 was fairly uniform with cavendish retail tickets fundamentally at $3.50/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49/kg; both Coles and Woolworths at $3.50/kg in the stores visited in Qld this week.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Forest Lake, Sunnybank Hills and Mt Ommaney Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.50/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters at $3.50/kg. Quality across stores was quite good though some clusters found with sooty mould, bronzing and minor skin marking.
Stores had Winter Banana Update notices up for customers relating to dull bloom at this time of year.
Lady Fingers were $7.90/kg. Red Tips at $5.00/kg.
Below: Aldi Forest Lake, Sunnybank Hills and Mt Ommaney Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg , again some bruising and skin scarring and minor neck damage present. A higher percentage of fruit that was of semi colour condition present.
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $6.99/kg
Below: Woolworths Forest Lake, Sunnybank Hills and Mt Ommaney Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50-4.50/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.
