2022-Week 4

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AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:

  • Week 3 - 478,034 trays which was a decrease of 11%( or some 105,678 trays) on Week 2 2022 production - WA production accounted for 80% of this; NZ contributed 17% and the remaining 3% came from a combination of the following regions: Tristates and Central NSW.

  • The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 443,243 trays, which if continued will see the industry fall short by approximately 750-850K trays for the season’s original forecast.

  • It is forecast that a total of 501K trays will be despatched this week nationally.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.29- $1.40 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.50-$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.  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) --$15-$26/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 Manjimup has seen early morning minimum temps ranging 13.3 to 19.4C and daytime maximum temps of 23.7 to 39.7C. The heat in this region has continued with minimal relief from rain with only 1.8mm fallings in the last two days. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows early mornings temps of 13.6-18.6C; the days have also warmed up with averages of 24-37.2C with minimal rain with a total fall for the week of 0.4mm in the last two days.

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, with Hass fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 20 to 29 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld Hass avos selling with a ticket price of $1.29ea whilst they have featured their 6 piece nets in their weekly catalogue for $4.49 ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.30 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass (large sizes) ticketed at $1.30ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm.

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 FOUND 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 Browns Plains, Sunnybank Hills and Fairfield Displays

  • Coles stores had Count 20 and 23 Skylark Hass avocados priced at $1.30ea. Primarily all NZ stock Fruit age up to 30 days.

  • Stores had 5 piece packs at $5.50ea - these too were filled with fruit of NZ origin.

Below: Aldi Browns Plains, Sunnybank Hills and Fairfield Displays

  • NZ Hass loose count 23 @ $1.29 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 Browns Plains, Sunnybank Hills and Moorooka Displays

  • Stores had Count 16/18 Hass avocados at $1.30 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 13-26 days.

  • 5 piece packs on special at $4.50/ pack and Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $5.50ea

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national cut for Week 3 of 2022 was 461,257 cartons which represented a 11.6% decrease on the week prior or 60,370 cartons fewer. The heat, sunshine and plentiful 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 to 24.2C; day time temperatures have been pushing close to a top of 32C with a range of 27.1 to 32C. In terms of rainfall up to Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate to heavy falls with Tully seeing 165mm and Innisfail receiving 109mm throughout the week; whilst both Walkamin and Mareeba received approximately 60mm each. More rain is expected this week with a potential for severe thunderstorms and even flooding due to the amount of rain the region has been receiving over the last fortnight. Cavendish banana bunch age is now at 14-15 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 $2.29 to $2.99/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, though the Aldi displays seemed to be worse affected by heat stress. 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 featuring bananas as a back to school special on the front page of their weekly catalogue at $2.49/kg; whilst both Coles offered fruit at $2.50/kg and Woolies also offered fruit at $2.50/kg.












RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Browns Plains, Sunnybank Hills and Fairfield Displays

  • Cavendish was priced at $2.50/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters also $2.50/kg. Quality across stores was quite good though some clusters found with minor skin marking.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg, Organic at $5.00/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

Below: Aldi Browns Plains, Sunnybank Hills and Fairfield Displays

  • Stores had Cavendish @ $2.49/kg. Stores had on average 20% green fruit, with a finding of some light bruising/skin marking also.

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

  • Bananas featured in this week’s catalogue

Below: Woolworths Browns Plains, Sunnybank Hills and Moorooka 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.

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

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