2022-Week 2
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The national production figures for last week were as follows:
Week 1 - 335,159 trays which was a slight decrease on Week 52, 2021 production - WA production accounted for 87% of this; NZ contributed 6% and the remaining 7% came from a combination of the following regions: Tristate; Central NSW and Tamborine/N Rivers.
The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 456,907 trays, which if continued will see the industry fall short by approximately 700-800K trays for the season.
There was a significant disparity for what was forecast to be arriving from NZ last week and what actuated by some 100,000 trays - this can only be put down to shipping delays.
It is forecast that a total of 545K trays will be despatched this week nationally.
All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.29-$2.00/piece or 3 large pieces for $5 depending upon quality/size. Within the markets things have remained relatively unchanged, premium trays of WA hass are selling in the range of $16 -$22/tray depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $14-$18 (anything with colour or out-of-date spec is selling for $6-$10).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 -$14per 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. We are pushing for the price to lift to $24.00/tray on premium WA Hass for W/C 20th January.
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 11 to 15.6C and daytime maximum temps of 22.5 to 31.2C. 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 11.5-?C; the days have also warmed up with averages of 30-32C with no rain for the week.
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 all three of the Woolworths stores visited had Australian hass on offer. Hass fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 16 to 30 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 $1.19ea; 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. A better mix of fruit maturity in terms of fruit yielding and being almost ready to eat this week on most shelves.
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 Mt Ommaney, Browns Plains and Carindale Displays
Coles stores had Count 20 and 2 Skylark Hass avocados priced at $1.20ea. Primarily all NZ stock Fruit age up to 30 days.
Stores had 5 piece packs at $3.90ea - these too were filled with fruit of NZ origin.
Below: Aldi Mt Ommaney, Browns Plains and Carindale Displays
NZ Hass loose count 23/25 @ $1.19 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 Mt Ommaney, Browns Plains and Carindale Displays
Stores had Count 20 Hass avocados at $1.20-$1.50 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 14-24 days.
5 piece packs at $4.50/ pack
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The national cut for Week 1 of 2022 was a little over 466K cartons which was 53.6% up on the week prior, or an additional 163K cartons. The heat, sunshine and rain have been a constant again this 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 20.5 to 24.7C; day time temperatures have been pushing close to a top of 36C with a range of 27.6 to 36C. In terms of rainfall up to Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate to heavy falls with Tully seeing 100mm and Innisfail receiving 102mm throughout the week; whilst both Walkamin and Mareeba received approximately 78mm each. 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 $2.49 to $3.49/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; rub marking and sap staining seen. Colour was generally good with more plentiful supplies of fruit ready to eat. A presence of some dull fruit found throughout - suggest this is from the elevated heat in the growing regions over the last fortnight.
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 $3.48-$3.50/kg depending upon store location and Woolies also offered fruit at $3.50/kg.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Mt Ommaney, Browns Plains and Carindale Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.48-3.50/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters also $3.50/kg. Quality across stores was quite good though some clusters found with minor skin marking. There were kids packs in Coles that were definitely not kid sized fruit - XL had clearly been used to pack these.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg, Organic at $5.00/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.
Below: Aldi Mt Ommaney, Browns Plains and Carindale Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg. One store only had a 40% green fruit/60% ripe display, with a finding of some light bruising/skin marking at all stores.
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 Mt Ommaney, Browns Plains and Carindale Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/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.
Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - rub and maturity bronzing found, as well as having a little semi condition fruit
Red tips were priced at $4.90/kg and Organic variety at $5.50/kg
