2021-Week 32

/

QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week saw Central Qld maintaining the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 48% of the total harvest of some 487,057 trays last week; followed by Central NSW with 14%;  South Qld at 11%; WA at 10% and North Qld/Tristate with 7% each. The remaining 4% came from a combination of Sunshine Coast, Tamborine and Northern Rivers.  This production figure represents a 14% increase on week prior and was 13% higher than what was forecast for this period.  All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.40 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit at $1.00-$1.50/piece. 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 weak and expected to come back next week.  Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $6 --$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 440,000 - 450,000 trays and then the forecast shows a the quantity to be produced each week gradually increasing in the next three to four week period. You will note that WA have contributed 10% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 49,000 trays - this is just the start of what has been touted to be their biggest season on record. The weather in the south west corner of WA has continued to cause some headaches with a hail storm in the past week with an estimated loss of 4-5 pieces per tree - still not significant in relation to the overall size of the crop but with more rain and storms forecast we are ever on the alert.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing.

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 $5.99 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 $5.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at a super $3.90-$4.90/bag.

Price has remained relatively steady with a $0.10-$0.20 up/down piece rate movement noted 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-$1.30 ea; whilst Coles in Qld had Hass at a piece price of $1.20- $1.40each. The ripeness of fruit on shelves varied this week with some stores with a presence of ripe to overripe fruit; but the majority of displays had fruit that would be ready to eat the next or two.

SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK  

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Springwood, Garden City and Cooparoo Displays

  • Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at just $1.20ea.

  • Stores had 5 piece packs at $5.00 and 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $4.00 each.

Below: Aldi Springwood, Garden City and Cooparoo Displays

  • Hass @ $1.19ea and 6 piece Hass nets at $5.99.

  • 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 Springwood, Garden City and Cooparoo Displays

  • Most stores had Hass avocados at $1.20ea 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 $5.50/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.90 - $4.90ea depending upon store location.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures have cooled with a range of 8 to 20.1C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 21 to 27.8C. The lows of 8-10.4C were mainly experienced in Innisfail and Tully who also experienced light rainfall with between 10-16mm for the week. These low temps will see a little more development of dull bloom in the weeks to come. Mareeba was relatively dry in the last week; whilst Walkamin districts received a total 28mm 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 can be best described as being steady at this stage of the season.

The national cut for last week was a little over 517K cartons. This figure represented an increase of 7.7% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 480-500K 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 were a few stores with low stock levels this week when we visited - this may be related to the time of the visit, perhaps stores waiting on delivery of stock. Overall colour was generally good and whilst there is a presence of dull bloom fruit, it is not excessive which relates directly to the rather mild winter we have had in North Qld to date. Signage was again 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; both Coles and Woolworths at $4.00-$4.50/kg in the stores visited this week. 



RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Springwood, Garden City and Cooparoo 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.

  • Lady Fingers were $7.90/kg. Red Tips at $5.50/kg.

  • Some stores were seriously lacking in stock (9:40 am), could be waiting on arrivals

Below: Aldi Springwood, Garden City and Cooparoo Displays

  • Stores had Cavendish @ $3.99/kg. A small percentage of fruit that was of semi colour condition present.

    Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $6.99/kg

Below: Woolworths Springwood, Garden City 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. 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 $5.90/kg