2022-Week 1

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QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In a nutshell the national production figures for the past few weeks were as follows:

  • Week 50 - 583,708 trays which was a 23% increase on Week 49 - WA production accounted for 75% of this; NZ contributed 20% and 5% came from Tristate; Central NSW and Tamorine/N Rivers

  • Week 51 - 528,812 trays which was a 9% decrease on Week 50 - WA production accounted for 74% of this, NZ 20% and the balance as per Week 50.

  • Week 52 - 335,628 trays which was a 37% decrease on Week 51 - WA production accounted for 63%; NZ 33% and the remaining 4% from Tristate and Central NSW.

  • The average despatch figures for the past four week period has been 492,549 trays per week.

  • It is forecast that a total of 466K trays will be despatched this week nationally.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.29-$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depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $12-$15 (anything with colour or out-of-date spec is selling for $6-$10).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-$25/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size. 

With the primary production state continuing to be Western Australian it is pertinent to consider the weather in this region. The weather in the south west corner of WA has started to warm up a little with early morning minimum temps ranging 9.8 to 18.6C and daytime maximum temps of 23.2 to 37.1C. The Manjimup region did not have any rain in the last week. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows early mornings warmer with temps of 15.0-20C; the days have also warmed up with averages of 28-34C with a total rainfall of 0.6mm.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing with pricing being the main variable in the major supermarkets based upon store location; sizing stocked and banner. The majority of stores this week were stocking NZ stock, though one of the Woolworths stores visited had Australian hass on offer. Hass fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 25 to 33 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld featured Hass avos in their weekly catalogue with a ticket price for Hass of $0.99ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.20 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.20 to $1.50ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with a higher percentage of fruit being very firm compared to fruit on shelf just prior to Christmas.

Shhh!…. the Shepard Avocados are almost ready.

WHILST OUR wa PARTNERS ARE STILL WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THEIR 2021 CROP OF HASS, OUR NORTH QLD GROWERS ARE SILENTLY PREPARING FOR THE SHEPARD SEASON. wHEN WE VISITED EARLY DECEMBER 2021 THE SHEPARDS WE HAD THE PLEASURE IN SEEING WERE LOOKING GOOD. EVEN AT THAT STAGE - fruit WAS FPOUND TO BE presenting cleanly, size WAs variable AS EXPECTED AT THAT STAGE with approximately 3 to 4 flower sets experienced on most farms so IT HAS BEEN COMMUNICATED TO THE RETAILERS THAT the 2022 season is looking very promising indeed. We are aiming to commence harvest mid-February after dry matter testing confirms fruit maturity is ready Please send your test results to me as soon as they are available.

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Kenmore, Mt Gravatt and Forest Lake Displays

  • Coles stores had Count 23 and 25 Skylark Hass avocados priced at $1.20ea. Primarily all NZ stock

  • Stores had 5 piece packs at $3.90ea - these too were filled with fruit of NZ origin.

Below: Aldi Kenmore, Mt Gravatt and Forest Lake 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 Kenmore, Mt Gravatt and Forest Lake Displays

  • Stores had Count 16/18 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

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The heat, sunshine and rain have been a constant in the last week in far north Queensland. Morning temperatures have continued to be rather balmy across all NQ regions with early a.m. temps falling within a range of 18.1 to 23.7C; day time temperatures have been pushing close to a top of 40C with a range of 23.3 to 39.1C. In terms of rainfall up to last Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate to heavy falls with Tully seeing 130mm and Innisfail receiving 139mm throughout the week; whilst both Walkamin and Mareeba received approximately 80mm each. Late in the week there is a tropical low off the coast of the far north which we are all keeping a very close eye upon. Updates to be provided if anything eventuates from this. Cavendish banana bunch age is now at 14-15 weeks, a couple of blocks still at 16 weeks, with fruit quality generally found to be good overall in the packshed. With the warm days coupled with the rainfall the rate of fruit growth has certainly quickened 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.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.99 to $2.49/kg this week. The markets all have good supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $6-$20 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 low level minor dry scar; rust thrip damage; bronzing; 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 $3.49/kg; whilst Coles offered fruit at $3.00-$3.90/kg depending upon store location and Woolies also offered fruit at $3.00 - $3.90/kg.










RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Kenmore, Mt Gravatt and Forest Lake Displays

  • Cavendish was priced at $3.90/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters also $3.90/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, Organic at $5.00/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

Below: Aldi Kenmore, Mt Gravatt and Forest Lake Displays

  • Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg. Over 50% green fruit and some bruising/skin marking

    Lady Finger bananas were priced @ $5.99/kg - a few clusters found with bronzing, all in hands that customers had to pull apart

Below: Woolworths Kenmore, Mt Gravatt and Forest Lake 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, as well as having green fruit

  • Red tips were priced at $4.90/kg and Organic variety at $5.50/kg