2021-Week 37
/QUICKLINKS
AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The figures released this week saw yet another change of guard with respects to the lead in production with Western Australia contributing 29% of the total national harvest of some 320 807 trays last week; followed by Tristates at 27%; Central NSW with 18%; South Qld contributing 13%; and New Zealand contributing 7%. The remaining 6% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine/Northern Rivers; Central Qld and North Qld. This production figure represents an 19% decrease on week prior and was 18% lower than what was forecast for the week. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.30 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $0.49 - $1.00/piece. Within the markets, premium trays of hass are selling in the main range of $10 -$16/tray depending upon size and quality of each line. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $2 -$8 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $1 to $5 (2nds) --$10-$20/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size.
The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 420,000 to 430,000 trays and then the forecast shows figures ranging in the range of 420-450,000 trays per week for the next three weeks thereafter. You will note that WA have contributed 29% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 93,000 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA has been rather cool across the last week with early morning minimum temps ranging 2.7 to 9.2C and daytime maximum temps of 12.6 to 20.3C. The Manjimup region experienced 34mm of rain up to last Sunday and then it has been relatively dry throughout the remainder of this week though another front has been forecast so we may see more rain late this week.
Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing and pricing in all three major supermarkets varied a little depending upon store location.
In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass still at $0.99ea; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.20 each; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.20 ea. The majority of fruit on shelves, was found to be coloured or developing skin colour and yielding to gentle pressure.
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 $4.99 ea ; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $5.50 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $3.90ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $4.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.50/bag on special.
SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Garden City, Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney Displays
Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at just $1.20ea.
Stores had 5 piece packs at $5.50 and 1kg I’m Perfect packs at $3.50 each.
Below: Aldi Garden City, Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney Displays
NZ Hass count 23/25 @ 99c each everywhere and 6 piece Hass nets at $4.99.
All fruit was well stocked and had strong skin colour with a percentage being quite soft.
Fruit on display was between 27 and 29 days old with packed on dates from 17th August to 19th August found.
All stores had pricing tickets which said Product of Australia and yet stock was from NZ. The prepack line had swing tags that said Product of NZ but pricing tickets that said Product of Australia????
Below: Woolworths Garden City, Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney 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 $4.50/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.90ea
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In the past week the morning temperatures are starting to warm up within a range of 14.5 to 20.1C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 22.1 to 32.5C. In terms of rainfall all regions have been relatively dry this week in Mareeba and Walkamin but all other NQ growing regions have experienced 18-20mm each for the week. Now that the weather is warming bunch age will gradually decrease in terms of how long it takes the bunch to form and fill-out or if you prefer, as the sunlight hours increase together with warmer temperatures growth will hasten - we are now seeing bunch age range 15-16 weeks on farm.
Most lines of displayed fruit were exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light bat/bird marking; neck creases and a presence of sap stains as well as a little sooty mould found on a few lines. Colour was generally good through out with stores offering both coloured and semi-coloured fruit (a few of these were a little greener than semi-coloured though). Still seeing some fruit with dull bloom on show in stores. Signage continued to be displayed 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/kg; Coles with fruit ticketed at $3.00/kg and Woolworths at $3.50/kg in the stores visited this week.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Garden City, Forest Lake 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.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg. Red Tips at $5.50/kg.
Below: Aldi Garden City, Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg. A small percentage of fruit that was of semi colour condition present.
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $5.99/kg
Below: Woolworths Garden City, Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg, 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; minor bat/bird marking; rust thrip damage and bronzing observed in some stores.
Lady fingers were priced at $7.50/kg - rub and maturity bronzing found as well as a few clusters with split peel.
Red tips were priced at $4.00/kg - some found with sooty mould.
