2021-Week 45
/QUICKLINKS
AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The figures released this week saw Western Australia maintain the lead in production contributing 61% of the total national harvest of some 469,066 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 22%; Tristates at 5.5%; Central NSW with 5%; and South Qld contributing 5%. The remaining 1.5% came from Tamborine/Northern Rivers. This production figure represents an increase of 19% (just over 73,000 additional trays) on the week prior and was 5% higher than what was forecast for the week.
All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.00- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $0.49-$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 up to $22) depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $12-$15 (anything with colour or out-of-date spec is selling for $6-$10).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-$28/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 446,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 435-460,000 trays per week through until the end of November. The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 451,675 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 61% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 286,130 trays which is more than last week in part due to the weather being a little more friendly giving growers a couple of extra days to pick and pack. The weather in the south west corner of WA has continued to be cool though the past week but it has been drier with only a couple of isolated showers across the week, whilst early morning minimum temps ranging 4.5 to 9.3C and daytime maximum temps of 14.4 to 22.4C. The Manjimup region experienced 2.8mm of rain last Sunday up until Wednesday just gone. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows that it has been cool with lows of 5-10.2C and daytime averages of 18.7-21.1C; they too have had less rain in the last week with a fall of 5.4mm on Monday and dry since. Parts of the orchards are still drying out underfoot which continues to hamper the picking process and limits vehicle access but at least things seem to be on the improve for now. Some of the WA growers are struggling to find homes for their seconds which would normally go to foodservice businesses but due to the volumes being produced and status of current markets; this fruit is going to waste according to this story released by the ABC:
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 increased their ticket price for Hass to $1.19ea; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.00 ea; 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 20-100% 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
Supermarket pricing has remained constant with no further price increasing in the foreseeable future.
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Toowoomba, Springwood and Sunnybank Hills Displays
Coles stores had Skylark Hass avocados priced at $1.00ea. Primarily all NZ stock - fruit with packed dates of 12th to 16th October therefore fruit age ranged 25 to 29 days. Fruit positioned on ends as well as a table top display aligning entry or just inside the store entry.
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.
Below: Aldi Toowoomba, Springwood and Sunnybank Hills Displays
NZ Hass loose count 23/25 @ $1.19 each everywhere and 6 piece Hass nets filled with NZ fruit at $4.99
All fruit was well stocked and with loose having strong skin colour with a percentage being quite soft. Fruit age 29 days.
Evidence of some bruising; skin scarring and light sun blemish on some pieces.
Below: Woolworths Toowoomba, Springwood and Sunnybank Hills 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 with packed on dates ranging 18-19th October therefore fruit age ranged 22-23 days.
5 piece packs at $4.50/ pack and 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $4.00ea
Large loose organic Hass selling at $3.50 ea. Fruit was very hard.
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
As expected over the past week the morning temperatures have continued to be warm up in North Qld with all regions early a.m. temps falling within a range of 17.7 to 24C; whilst day time temperatures have been marginally milder than last week ranging 27 to 33.1C. In terms of rainfall this week most major regions in the far north have been relatively dry with light falls of 0.2 to 2.4mm. Innisfail has experienced a little more rain with a total fall of 13mm across the week. Cavendish banana bunch age has come back to 16 weeks on our farm currently, with fruit quality found to be good overall in the packshed. Our ladyfingers have been experiencing a degree of bronzing in recent weeks and sap staining. Increased sap flow rates are synonymous with the warmer months of the year. In an effort to reduce bronzing we are cutting fruit a little thinner and to assist with reducing the sap staining, we have made alterations to the packing line so that the hands are clustered at the beginning of the line to allow fruit more time in the trough to assist in stemming the sap flow and we have introduced tissue paper on the crowns and an additional sheet of paper in the carton to absorb any additional sap to try and keep the fruit appearance clean.
The national cut last week was again another high production week with 541,855 cartons which was a decrease of 5051 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.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied this week amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi’s ticket price at $2.49/kg; whilst Coles offered fruit at $2.50-$3.00/kg and Woolies offered fruit at $3.00/kg in the centres visited.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Toowoomba, Springwood and Sunnybank Hills Displays
Cavendish was priced at $2.50-$3.00/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters also $2.50-$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 - at one store found the ladyfingers in hands. Red Tips at $4.90/kg.
Below: Aldi Toowoomba, Springwood and Sunnybank Hills Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $2.49/kg. The majority of the display at all three locations contained fruit that was semi to backward in colour.
Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $5.99/kg - a few clusters found with bronzing.
Below: Woolworths Toowoomba, Springwood and Sunnybank Hills Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50-3.00/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; major bruising (isolated) and rub marking observed in some stores.
Lady fingers were priced at $6.90-$7.50/kg - rub and maturity bronzing found
Red tips were priced at $4.50/kg and Organic at $5.00/kg
