2021-Week 46

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QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week saw Western Australia maintain the lead in production contributing 74% of the total national harvest of some 478,703 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 14%; Tri-states at 4%; Central NSW with 4%. The remaining 3% came from Tamborine/Northern Rivers and South Qld. This production figure represents an increase of 2% (just over 9,600 additional trays) on the week prior and was 7% higher than what was forecast for the week. 

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $0.89-$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depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $12-$15 (anything with colour or out-of-date spec is selling for $6-$10).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 435,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 440-460,000 trays per week through until the middle of December. The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 453,694 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 a larger percentage of the national volume last week (74%) which equates to approximately 354,240 trays which has been their biggest week thus far in the 2021 season - again weather has been on their side, though there has been a few light showers over the last day or two. The weather in the south west corner of WA has continued to be cool though the past week with early morning minimum temps ranging 6.1 to 13C and daytime maximum temps of 18.6 to 28C. The Manjimup region experienced a light 0.6mm of rain over the last two days. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows that it has been experiencing cool mornings with lows of 7.2-14.2C and warmer daytime averages of 18.6-27.6C; they too have had a drier week with only a fall of 2.2mm yesterday.

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 $1.50 ea or a multibuy offer of 3 for $4.00; 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 40-85% coloured on offer and ripeness ranging from very soft; to yielding to very firm.

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 Garden City, Coomera and Helensvale Displays

  • Coles stores had Skylark Hass avocados priced at $1.50ea or multibuy offer 3 for $4. 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.

Below: Aldi Garden City and Helensvale 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 Garden City, Coomera and Helensvale Displays

  • Stores had Hass avocados at $1.20 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 $3.50ea

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 19.2 to 25C; whilst day time temperatures have been on the rise in the last week ranging 27.2 to 36.3C. In terms of rainfall this week most major regions in the far north have been remained relatively dry until yesterday with falls of 2.2 to 36mm on Thursday. Cavendish banana bunch age remains at 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 from this week cutting fruit with reduced hang time - this will be continuing practise as we make our way around the farm and throughout the summer to assist in reducing maturity bronzing. As explained last week, 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 - in the last week we are already seeing benefits in relation to this issue.

The national cut last week whilst finally back under the 500K’s, on top of recent weeks it was yet another week of solid production with 481,750 cartons representing a decrease of 60,105 ctns on the week prior. The forecast for this week to be in a range of 475-490,000 cartons. 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 $2.99/kg; whilst Coles offered fruit at $2.50-$3.50/kg and Woolies offered fruit at $2.50/kg in the centres visited.









RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Garden City, Coomera and Helensvale Displays

  • Cavendish was priced at $2.50-$3.50/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters also $2.50-$3.50/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 and Red Tips at $3.90/kg.

Below: Aldi Garden City and Helensvale Displays

  • Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/kg. The majority of the display at all 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 Garden City, Coomera and Helensvale Displays

  • Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50/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; major bruising (isolated) and rub marking observed in some stores.

  • Lady fingers were priced at $6.90/kg - rub and maturity bronzing found

  • Red tips were priced at $4.50/kg