QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week saw Central Qld maintaining the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 52% of the total harvest of some 401,961 trays last week; followed by North Qld with 24%; South Qld at 10%; Central NSW 6% and WA at 5%. The remaining 3% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine; Northern Rivers and Tristate. This production figure represents an 6% increase on week prior and was 12% higher than what was forecast for this period. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit at $1.00/piece. Sales have slowed somewhat this week in stores - this may be due to the slight ticket price increase or due to the fact that there are still a number of locations in lockdown. Within the markets, avocado sales for premium trays are in the range of $14 -$24/tray depending upon size and quality of each line, the top of $24 is rare, the true top price being within $20-$22 for most sales. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $6 --$15 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 (2nds) --$28/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 390,000 - 400,000 trays and then the forecast shows a slight increase by approximately 10-20K per week for the next three weeks. This would tend to indicate pricing will remain relatively stable at this point with no further increases, if anything in the next 3-4 weeks it will start trending down again.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. The humble Hass avocado is the star attraction as it appears that the Gmax has almost completed its season with a display being found in one store only this week during our visits.

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 moved up marginally this week in some stores. 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 ticketed at $1.20-$1.50 ea; whilst Coles in Qld had Hass at a piece price of $1.20 each. The majority of fruit on shelves is firm, with a low level of fruit that can be selected to eat that day or the next.

SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Carindale, Greenslopes, Coomera Displays

Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at just $1.20ea. Fruit found with packed dates of 15th July through to 20th July which meant fruit was 8 to 13 days old.
Stores had 5 piece packs at $5.90 and 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $3.90 each.

Below: Aldi Carindale, Drewvale, Coomera Displays

Stores stocked either Purpleskin or Freshmax (Dorian Fruit) Hass @ $1.19ea and 6 piece Hass nets at $5.49.
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 Carindale, Greenslopes, Coomera and Oxenford Displays

Most stores had Hass avocados at $1.20-$1.50ea on Wednesday - a presence of minor skin marking on a few lines and a good mix of maturity on offer in some of these stores. Odd bruised piece found.
Fruit age 11 to 15 days old.
5 piece packs at $4.90 to $5.90/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.90 - $4.90ea depending upon store location.

INDEPENDENT STORE - Westfield Coomera

Count 18 Hass @ $1.00 each, packed 19th July making them 9 days old- Rockridge Own - Class one 18’s.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures have cooled with a range of 10.5 to 17.2C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 25 to 32.8C Mareeba, Innisfail and Tully have all been relatively dry in the last week; whilst Walkamin districts received a total of 4-5mm/day 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. Growth rates are steady, fruit is taking a little longer to fill out and we expect the bunch age to push out by a further week as the overnight/morning temps continue to drop.

The national cut for last week was a little over 419K cartons. This figure represented an increase of 7.31% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 395-420K 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 on bananas varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49-$3.99/kg; both Coles and Woolworths at $3.50-$4.50/kg in the stores visited this week.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Carindale, Greenslopes, Coomera Displays

Cavendish was priced at $4.50/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters at $4.50/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 Carindale and Drewvale Displays

Stores had Cavendish @ $3.99/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 Carindale, Greenslopes, Coomera and Oxenford 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 $5.00/kg.