2022-Week 5
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:
Week 4 - 616,202 trays which is the biggest week of the WA season and represents a massive increase of 29%( or some 138,168 trays) on Week 3 2022 production - WA production accounted for 53% of this; NZ contributed 45% (again shipping delays have impacted this proportional supply) and the remaining 2% 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 503,276 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 532K 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 $1.50-$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 -$23/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 somewhat milder morning minimum temps ranging 9.6 to 17.6C and daytime maximum temps of 22.6 to 36.2C. The weather this week whilst still hot some days is quite a contrast to the weather in the last two weeks again with minimal rain with only 1.4mm falling across two days. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows milder early mornings temps of 11.6-13.3C; but days have warmed up with averages of 20.7 to 24.5C with minimal rain with a total fall for the week of 0.2mm. The flooding over the last week in SA has understandably caused major disruption to transit times, the farm continues to pack with the major impact being longer lead times for transport and subsequent ripening. We have been keeping all informed and have our ripening partners confirming when each load has been received.
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 15 to 27 days.
In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld Hass avos selling with a ticket price of $1.19ea and these were featured in the Aldi catalogue this week; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.30 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass (large sizes) ticketed at $1.30 to $1.50ea depending upon fruit size and store location. 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 Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Coles stores had Count 25 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 Sunnybank Hills and Garden City 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- Fruit age 23 to 26 days.
Evidence of some bruising; skin scarring and light sun blemish on some pieces.
Hass Avocados featured as a special in this week’s catalogue
Below: Woolworths Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Stores had Count 20/23 Hass avocados at $1.30-$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 13-26 days.
5 piece packs on special at $6.00/ pack!!
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The national cut for Week 4 of 2022 was 447,369 cartons which represented a 3% decrease on the week prior or 13,888 cartons fewer. The heat, sunshine and plentiful rain have again 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 19 to 24.4C; day time temperatures have been pushing close to a top of 32C with a range of 27 to 32.8C. In terms of rainfall up to Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate to heavy falls with Tully seeing 116mm; Innisfail receiving 199.4mm; and Mareeba receiving 159mm throughout the week; Walkamin topped the regions with a total of 207mm. 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 again seemed to be worse affected by heat stress, though there was a presence of some heat affected fruit on Coles shelves as well. With the extremes of heat in the various growing regions over the last month; depending farm location, elevation and the irrigation programme being followed etc some farms have a percentage of heat stressed plants which subsequently produce heat stressed bunches. To minimise the impact of heat stress on plants, Rockridge ensures irrigation programmes are adjusted and undertaken at suitable times of the day. Fruit at these stores had a presence of low level minor dry scar; rust thrip damage; bronzing; small rub marks; rub marking and sap staining seen - also some very long clusters presents, extending the shelf perimeter. 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 banana ticket price at $2.99/kg; whilst both Coles offered fruit at $3.50/kg and Woolies offered fruit at $2.50/kg.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Cavendish was priced at $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.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg, Organic at $3.48/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.
Below: Aldi Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/kg- some light bruising/skin marking
Below: Woolworths Sunnybank Hills and Garden City 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 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
