QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

This week we finally saw Central Qld taking the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 57% of the total harvest of some 378,624 trays last week; followed by North Qld with 23%; South Qld at 8%; Sunshine Coast, Northern Rivers and Tristate supplied a combined 8% and the remaining 4% came from Tamborine and Norther Rivers. This production figure represents an 11% decrease on week prior and as 11% increase on what was forecast for this period. This decrease in production has been followed by a slight tightening of pricing with most premium sizes enjoying an increase of up $2-$3 per tray. All major supermarkets are currently selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.30 per piece, and whilst this continues to represent exceptional value, most have noticed a slight decline in sales. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$20/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 350,000 - 365,000 trays and then the forecast shows a slight decrease by approximately 10K per week for the next three weeks thereafter so pricing may firm up further depending upon customer purchase patterns and demand. As a guide, we are aiming for all harvesting of North Qld avocados to be finalised either this coming week or first full week of August to ensure a home on a supermarket shelf. If you believe you will still need additional time, please let us know as soon as possible and provide an indication of volumes yet to be harvested, so that we can discuss this with buyers.

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 (selling count 14-18’s mainly) at a higher ticket price than the Hass.

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 $3.90ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.90 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 $1.19ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.20-$1.30 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld had Hass at a piece price of $1.20 ea whilst similarly selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.

SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Garden City, Toombul and Carindale Displays

Coles stores had Greenskins Gmax Avos priced at $2 ea and Hass avocados priced at just $1.00ea. Fruit found with packed dates of 10th July through to 16th July which meant fruit was 7 to 12 days old.
Stores had 5 piece packs at $4.90 and 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $3.90 each.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Toombul and Carindale Displays

Stores stocked either Purpleskin or Freshmax (Dorian Fruit) Hass @ $1.19ea 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 Garden City, Nundah and Carindale Displays

Most stores had Greenskins Gmax Green skin avos @$2 ea and Hass avocados at $1.30ea 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 $5.90/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed on special this week at $3.90ea.

INDEPENDENT STORE

Hass @ 2 for $4.00

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures varied greatly but we have had our first morning field temp of 10C or just below (9.5C) which is renowned for being at what point we will start to see a wider impact of underpeel discoloration or greying of the sub dermal layers of the banana skin which reflects as an outward dull colour. Morning temps across the major growing regions in North Qld have ranged 9.5-20C whilst day time temperatures have ranged 24.8 to 31.6C Mareeba, Innisfail and Tully have all been relatively dry in the last week; whilst Walkamin districts received a total of 30mm across the week. 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 a little over 390K cartons. This figure represented a slight decrease of 1.1% on the previous week. 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 10-15% 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 bruising, light sap staining and minor skin marking. 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 revealed Aldi leading the way on price, this may have been in response to local independent operators offering fruit at similiar price points. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $2.99/kg; both Coles and Woolworths at $3.50-$4.00/kg in the stores visited in Qld this week.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Garden City, Toombul and Carindale 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 Garden City, Toombul and Carindale Displays

Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/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 Garden City, Nundah and Carindale Displays

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50-3.50/kg depending upon store location. Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $2.50. 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.