2021-Week 50

QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The figures released this week saw Western Australia really take ownership of the the lead in production contributing a whopping 88% of the total national harvest of some 474,928 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 6%. The remaining 6% came from a combination of Tristates; Central NSW and Tamborine/Northern Rivers. This production figure represents a decrease of some 75,000 less trays on the week prior and was equivalent to a decline of 13.7%.  New Zealand’s contribution has been impacted by major shipping delays - so at some point their market share will kick by comparison to this week. Whilst talking supplies from other countries, Chile also have reported a bumper crop and are exporting again to Australia with their first shipment of an estimated 21 tonne due to arrive in Sydney late December. It will be interesting to monitor the reception to this fruit since we will still have plentiful supplies of Australian grown fruit, as well as NZ fruit on shore.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.20 per 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 depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $12-$15 (anything with colour or out-of-date spec is selling for $6-$10).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 $5 to $14 (2nds) --$14-$28/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size. 

The national production of Hass this week is again forecast to be in the vicinity of 500 - 510,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 480,000 trays then 390,000 trays across Christmas and New Year. The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 519,926 trays per week.

You will note that WA have contributed their highest proportion of the national volume to date last week (88%) which equates to approximately 418,000 trays which now becomes their biggest week of the WA season to date. The weather in the south west corner of WA has finally started to warm up a little with early morning minimum temps ranging 6.6 to 20.3C and daytime maximum temps of 19.8 to 36.8C. The Manjimup region experienced a total rainfall of 5mm last week. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows whilst early mornings are still quite cool with temps of 6.8-9C; the days are warm with averages of 20.4-23.9C with a total rainfall of 5.9mm. Availability of staff due to ongoing Covid issues continues to limit our ability to harvest at our fullest but we endeavour to meet our orders.

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 1 of the 3 Woolworths stores visited had WA hass on offer. Fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 14 to 34 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld had increased their ticket price for Hass to $0.99ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.00 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.20ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with a range of 20-60% coloured on offer and ripeness ranging from 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, Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney Displays

  • Coles stores had Skylark Hass avocados priced at $1.00ea. Primarily all NZ stock -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 $4.50ea - these too were filled with fruit of NZ origin.

Below: Aldi Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney Displays

  • NZ Hass loose count 23/25 @ 99c each everywhere and 6 piece Hass nets filled with NZ fruit at $4.49

  • All fruit was well stocked- Fruit age 23 to 26 days.

  • Evidence of some bruising; skin scarring and light sun blemish on some pieces.

Below: Woolworths Garden City, Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney 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 age ranged 14-34 days.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.00/ pack, Organics at $3.50


BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The heat keeps building in the far north, week on week. Over the past week the morning temperatures have continued to be rather balmy in North Qld with all regions early a.m. temps falling within a range of 17.8 to 24C; day time temperatures have been steadily creeping up the barometer in the last week ranging 30.3 to 35.3C. In terms of rainfall up to last Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions were experienced light to moderate falls of 5.4 to 20mm. Cavendish banana bunch age remains at 15- 16 weeks on our farm currently, with fruit quality found to be good overall in the packshed. With the warm days the rate of fruit growth is certainly quickening and it is important for all farms to stay on top of girth measurements to ensure overall fruit length and girth is not exceeding specification.

The national cut last week was 469,376 cartons which is a reduction of almost 27,000 on the previous week but still solid production. The forecast for this week is expected to be in a range of 420-440,000 cartons. Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.99 to $2.49/kg again this week. The markets all have plentiful supplies of cavendish with fruit selling at $4-$15 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

Cavendish in general this week presented well. Fruit was presenting quite cleanly though there was a presence of some quite long fingers, and low level minor dry scar; small rub marks; light bat/bird marking and sap staining seen. Colour was generally good with more plentiful supplies of fruit ready to eat.

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 $2.98-$3.00/kg depending upon store location and Woolies offered fruit at $3.00/kg.













RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Garden City, Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney Displays

  • Cavendish was priced at $2.98-3.00/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters also $3.00-$3.50/kg. Quality across stores was quite good though some clusters found with minor skin marking and green colouring.

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

Below: Aldi Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney Displays

  • Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/kg.

    Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $5.99/kg - a few clusters found with bronzing.

Below: Woolworths Garden City, Forest Lake and Mt Ommaney Displays

  • Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $2.50-3.00. 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 - some green fruit and minor bat/bird marking.

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

  • Red tips were priced at $4.50/kg and Organic variety at $5.50/kg