2021-Week 33
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The figures released this week saw Central Qld maintaining the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 40% of the total harvest of some 422,996 trays last week; followed by Central NSW with 15%; South Qld at 15%; WA at 14% and Tristate at 10%. The remaining 6% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine; Northern Rivers and North Qld. This production figure represents a 13% decrease on week prior and was 4% lower than what was forecast for this week. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.00 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.00/piece. It is hoped that with pricing reset at this piece rate that sales will enliven. Within the markets, avocado sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$22/tray depending upon size and quality of each line, the top of $22 is weakening and expected to be a top of $20/tray by next week. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $5 --$12 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 (2nds) --$26/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.
The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 420,000 - 430,000 trays and then the forecast shows a slight increase per week for the next three weeks. You will note that WA have contributed 14% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 60,000 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA has been better this week with isolated showers, morning temps ranging 4.2-9.9C and daytime temps of 16.4 to 23.8C. This is a welcome change to the last few weeks in preparation for the upcoming harvest.
Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing with the appearance of some new usage signage with simple ideas for customers.
Price in all three major supermarkets has dropped back to $1 a piece - so we are hoping this stimulates consumer appetites for a few extra avocados in their shopping baskets this week. In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass back at $0.99ea; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.00 each; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.00 ea. The majority of fruit on shelves, whilst having developing skin colour was found to be just yielding to firm. Ideal really.
Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets provide an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $5.49 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $5.00 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $4.00ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.00 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at a super $3.50/bag.
SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Sunnybank Hills, Garden City and Browns Plains Displays
Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at just $1.00ea.
Stores had 5 piece packs at $5.00 and Garden City store had 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $4.00 each.
Below: Aldi Sunnybank Hills, Garden City and Browns Plains Displays
Hass @ $1.19ea at Sunnybank Hills but 99c each everywhere else 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 Sunnybank Hills, Garden City and Browns Plains Displays
Most stores had Hass avocados at $1.00ea 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.
Fruit age 11 to 15 days old.
5 piece packs at $5.00/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.90ea
One prepack had a significant amount of damage>
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In the past week the morning temperatures have cooled with a range of 13.3 to 19.9C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 23 to 27C Both Innisfail and Tully have received more rain this week with a total of 106mm for Innisfail and 82mm for Tully across the week; whilst Walkamin districts received a total of 4mm/day so far this 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, with not a great deal of change expected until the weather heats up and they day lengthens.
The national cut for last week was just shy of 502K cartons. This figure represented a decrease of 2.96% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 500-510K 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.
Most lines of fruit are exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light bat/bird marking; neck creases and a presence of sap stains. Colour was generally good. Aldi stock tended to have a higher percentage of fruit with dull bloom. 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 $3.99/kg; Coles with fruit ticketed at $3.50/kg and Woolworths at $4.00/kg in the stores visited this week.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Sunnybank Hills, Garden City and Browns Plains 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.
Lady Fingers were on special at $5.50/kg. Red Tips at $5.50/kg.
Below: Aldi Sunnybank Hills, Garden City and Browns Plains Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $3.99/kg. A small percentage of fruit that was of semi colour condition present. Overall Aldi stores had the highest presence of fruit with dull bloom and generally a higher percentage of small minor skin marks.
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $6.99/kg
Below: Woolworths Sunnybank Hills, Garden City and Browns Plains Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50-4.00/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 were priced at $5.00/kg
