2022-Week 6
/QUICKLINKS
AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:
Week 5 - 514,277 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a significant decrease of 17%( or some 101,925 trays) on Week 4 2022 production - WA production accounted for 76% of this; NZ contributed 10% (again shipping delays have impacted this proportional supply); 9% from NQ (new season Shepards) and the remaining 5% came from Central NSW.
The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 548,056 trays, which if continued will see the industry fall short by approximately 200K trays for the season’s original forecast.
It is forecast that a total of 546K 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 we have seen a slight lift in Hass pricing with premium trays of WA hass are selling in the range of $18 -$24/tray depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $16-$20. Pricing for class one fruit has remained stable (main sales) is ranging $10 -$16per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $8 to $16 (2nds) --$18-$28/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size. The markets are receiving the early North Qld Shepards with some farms electing to commence spot picking their larger Shepards ; supplies on the market are of good quality though there is sadly the presence of a couple of lines that are immature; talking to a number of agents indicates that demand for Shepards is somewhat lacking at this point with plentiful supplies of Hass still available.
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 20.2C and daytime maximum temps of 20.4 to 41.9C. The weather this week saw some real extremes in terms of maximum temperatures reached with only 11.4mm since the previous Monday. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows milder early mornings temps of 11.2-13.7C; unfortunately there were no recordings for day time temperatures in this region this week though there was 17.1 mm of rain recorded since the previous Monday. We have noted the presence of a little more nodule damage in the last couple of weeks and we are trying to evaluate if the severe periods of dry heat we are experienced are a potential cause?? Our WA season is almost at an end, so whilst we are keen to investigate our theories on the relationship of extreme field heat as a causation effect relatable to nodule damage, we may run out of time this season.
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. A number of Woolworths stores were found to be stocking both Hass and new season Shepards; with half of the display devoted to each varietal. Interestingly, the Shepards were positioned in prime position, ie first visible line in the department and at one store visited (Kenmore) the number of pieces sold by 9.15am on the Wednesday morning were 22 x Shepards and 23 x Hass; both ticketed at $1.50ea.
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; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.20 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 ALMOST READY TO COMMENCE THE 2022 SHEPARD SEASON. A FEW FARMS HAVE UNDERTAKEN DRY MATTER TESTS WITH RESULTS FOR MIXED SIZING COMING BACK AT 20.8 TO 26.2% WHICH MEANS FRUIT IS OR IS ALMOST READY TO BE HARVESTED. pLEASE KEEP SENDING ME YOUR DRY MATTER TEST RESULTS AS i NEED TO SHARE THESE WITH THE MAJOR SUPERMARKETS TO PROVE WE ARE READY TO GO. hAVING SAID THAT OUR ORDERS FOR THE SUPERMARKETS DO NOT COMMENCE UNTIL mARCH WITH FIRST RECEIVALS IN THEIR DISTRIBUTION CENTRES REQUIRED 3RD MARCH, SO ANYONE STARTING TO HARVEST PLEASE GO STEADY AS FRUIT WILL EXCEED AGE SPECIFICATIONS IF YOU COMMENCE TOO SOON. mAXIMUM AGE THAT WE CAN SUBMIT FRUIT INTO qLD IS 14 DAYS AND INTO SAY VICTORIA IS 18 DAYS. MAKE SURE ALL YOUR LABELLING AND BARCODING IS CORRECT - I HAVE SENT OUT THE LATEST ITEM AND GTIN NUMBERS SO ENSURE THESE ARE WHAT YOU ARE USING TO FORMAT YOUR TRAY AND PALLET LABELS.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL AGAIN. REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AT ANY STAGE EITHER GIVE US A CALL OR SEND US A TEXT OR EMAIL.
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Garden City, Kenmore and Carindale Displays
Coles stores had Count 25 Skylark Hass avocados priced at $1.20ea. 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 Garden City, Kenmore and Carindale Displays
NZ Hass loose count 23 @ $1.19 each everywhere. All fruit was well stocked- Fruit age 27 days.
6 piece Hass nets filled with NZ fruit at $4.49.
Below: Woolworths Garden City, Kenmore and Carindale Displays
Stores had The Avocado Collective WA Count 18/20 Hass avocados at $1.50 each and Greenskin Count 20/23 Shepard avocados also at $1.50 each - a presence of minor skin marking and a few stings on the new season Shepards - a good mix of maturity on offer throughout the Hass displays, Shepards were all quite firm. Australian grown fruit age ranged 8-12 days. Woolworths are trialling early stocking of Shepards alongside Hass to see how the two varieties sell in comparison to each other.
5 piece packs on special at $5.50/ pack and Organic mini Hass prepack range priced at $4.00/pack.
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
The weather patterns of 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 24.6C; day time temperatures have been pushing close to a top of 34.4C with a range of 26.2 to 34.4C. In terms of rainfall up to Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate to heavy falls with Tully receiving the most rain with some 201mm; Innisfail receiving 167mm; Walkamin receiving 112mm; and Mareeba with a total of 112mm falling across the week. 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 will continue to promote hastened fruit growth so 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 $10-$26 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.
Cavendish in general this week presented reasonably well. Whilst we saw a presence of heat stress fruit on most shelves there seemed to be more on both the Aldi and Coles displays this week. 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. 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 banana ticket price at $2.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at $3.00/kg and Coles offered fruit at $3.50 to $3.90/kg.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Garden City, Kenmore and Carindale Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.50-$3.90/kg, with Kids 750g banded clusters also $3.50-$3.90/kg.
Quality across stores was quite good though some clusters found with minor skin marking.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.
Below: Aldi Garden City, Kenmore and Carindale Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $2.49/kg- some light bruising/skin marking.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg - all in hands that customers had to pull apart.
Below: Woolworths Garden City, Kenmore and Carindale Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $2.50. Displays were generally well presented.
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.
