2021-Week 44

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QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week saw Western Australia maintain the lead in production contributing 60% of the total national harvest of some 394,796 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 18%; Tristates at 8%; Central NSW with 7%;  and South Qld contributing 7%. The remaining 1% came from Tamborine/Northern Rivers. This production figure represents a small 16% decrease (just over 77,000 fewer trays) on the week prior and was 18% lower than what was forecast for the week. 

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.50per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $0.99-$2.00/piece depending upon quality/size. Within the markets things have remained relatively unchanged, premium trays of WA hass are selling in the range of $15 -$20/tray (very good quality getting a little $22) depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $10-$15 (anything with colour or out-of-date spec is selling for $6-$10).  Pricing for class one fruit has remained stable (main sales) is ranging $6 -$14 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $6 to $14 (2nds) --$14-$30/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 445,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 440-460,000 trays per week through until the middle of November. The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 422,880 trays per week. If the targets projected by the industry are to be met a weekly average dispatch of 510,000 trays needs to be met from now through until the end of February 2022.

You will note that WA have contributed 60% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 236,877 trays which is less than last week with this being put down to recent weather - showery days with water tending to sit in the paddock making it difficult for machinery and hence picking has slowed. The weather in the south west corner of WA has been cool with further showery days thrown into the mix over the last week, whilst early morning minimum temps ranging 4.5 to 10.0C and daytime maximum temps of 14.9 to 22.7C. The Manjimup region experienced 14mm of rain in the last week up till Wednesday, with more rain forecast again for late in the week. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows that it has been cool with lows of 6.6-8.2C and daytime averages of 14.9-?C; they too have had rainfall across the week with a total fall of 16mm so far. This continued rainfall has the orchards being wetter underfoot which is hampering the picking process and limiting vehicle access - our own farm didn’t pick for the first three days this week. In addition to this, growers are very aware of the increased possibility of nodule damage if fruit is picked and transited during rainfall so been electing not to pick on wet days to ensure fruit quality on shelf, hence the available supply coming from WA last week and this week has been noticeably reduced.

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; sizing stocked and banner. The majority of stores this week were stocking NZ stock, though 2 of the 3 Woolworths stores visited had WA hass on offer. Fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 22 to 29 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld had returned to a ticket price for Hass of $0.99ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.50 ea for multibuy offer of 3 for $4; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.00-$1.20ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with a range of 15-90% coloured on offer and ripeness ranging from very soft; to yielding to very firm.

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 $4.99ea ; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.90 ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $4.50 and where stocked the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $4.00/bag.

SUPERMARKET & MARKET PRICING FOR NEXT WEEK  

Despite quoting higher, most of the supermarkets are convinced that the amount of fruit in the system does not warrant a price increase at this stage, whereas Woolworths agreed to pay $1 extra per tray.

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Garden City, Browns Plains and Indooroopilly Displays

  • Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at $1.50ea or multibuy offer of 3 for $4.00. Primarily all NZ stock - fruit age 29 days.

  • Stores had 5 piece packs at $4.90 ea - these too were filled with fruit of NZ origin.

  • Loose organic hass ranged in some stores at $4.00ea - with some stock over ripe.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Browns Plains and Indooroopilly Displays

  • NZ Hass loose count 23/25 @ $0.99 each everywhere and 6 piece Hass nets filled with NZ fruit at $4.99/$5.99.

  • All fruit was well stocked and with loose having strong skin colour with a percentage being quite soft. Fruit age 29 days.

Below: Woolworths Garden City, Browns Plains and Indooroopilly Displays

  • Stores had Hass avocados at $1.00 each - a presence of minor skin marking on a few lines but a good mix of maturity on offer. A mix of NZ and Australian grown fruit (fruit age 22 days) found at differing store locations.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.50/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $4.00ea

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures have definitely warmed up in North Qld with all regions early a.m. temps falling within a range of 18 to 23.3C; whilst day time temperatures are giving us a glimpse of summer ranging 28.9 to 35.4C. In terms of rainfall this week all other major regions in the far north have been dry again this week. Banana bunch age has come back to 16 weeks on our farm currently, with fruit quality found to be good overall in the packshed.

The national cut last week was again another high production week with 546,906 cartons which was a decrease of 17087 ctns on the week prior. The forecast for this week to be in a range of 500-520,000 cartons. This should see continued promotional activity in the banana space next week on retail shelves. Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.99 to $2.49/kg this week.

Cavendish in general this week presented well. Overall less marking which is pleasing with findings of minor dry scar; small rub marks; light bat/bird marking still being seen. Colour was generally good with more plentiful supplies of fruit ready to eat and brighter bloom than in recent times - one Aldi store did have some clusters with dull bloom.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied this week amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi’s ticket price lifting after last week’s special to $2.99/kg; whilst both Coles and Woolies offered fruit at $3.00/kg in the centres visited.







RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Garden City, Browns Plains and Indooroopilly Displays

  • Cavendish was priced at $3.00/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters also $3.00/kg. Quality across stores was quite good though some clusters found with minor skin marking, light bat/bird marking and rub marking.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg. Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Browns Plains and Indooroopilly Displays

  • Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/kg. A small percentage of fruit had dull bloom, but generally bright.

    Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $5.99/kg

Below: Woolworths Garden City, Browns Plains and Indooroopilly Displays

  • Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/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; sap stains and bronzing observed in some stores.

  • Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - rub and maturity bronzing found

  • Red tips were priced at $4.50/kg