QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

Week 7 - 517,807 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a 5% increase ( or some 23,473 additional trays) on Week 6 2022 production - WA production accounted for 64% of this; NZ contributed 18% (again shipping delays have impacted this proportional supply); 15% from NQ (new season Shepards equating to a little over 131K trays) and the remaining 3% came from Central NSW and Tristate.
The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 535,656 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 534K trays will be despatched this week nationally with approximately 32% of these being new season Shepards.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.80 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.50-$2.00/piece or 2 or 3 large pieces for $5 depending upon quality/size. It should be noted that Woolworths stores visited were also stocking Shepards as well which were selling at $1.50ea whilst larger Hass (both NZ and WA) were selling at $1.80ea. Sadly there were a number of Shepards seen in store with stings and developing body rots. Within the markets we are still seeing good volumes of Hass with pricing continuing to be in the range of $18 -$24/tray for premium fruit 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 $10 to $16 (2nds) --$18-$26/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size. The markets are receiving North Qld Shepards with some farms electing to commence spot picking their larger Shepards ; supplies on the market are of mixed quality this week with a presence of a couple of lines that are immature; there were also some lines with a number of stings and developing rots. Demand for Shepards is slowly attracting attention, with a number of independents now stocking both Hass and Shepard alongside each other in their stores. There have been some large intakes of Shepards into all major markets which is forcing pricing down as they are slow to move and agents are are in the process of clearing. Please see pricing quoted this week in the below table for Shepards.

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 11.6 to 16.2C and daytime maximum temps of 20.4 to 35.4C. 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 1 mm of rain recorded since the previous Wednesday. Our hass supply from WA have drawn the curtain on their season - not due to the cessation of fruit but rather an end to their availability of labour. The quality throughout the period has been excellent with just the last week or two marred by the presence of some nodule damage/lenticel which we believe to be attributable to the extreme heat. Our focus will now turn to our North Qld Shepard crop which is promising to be a good season…. though Mother Nature is threatening with the forecast of some wet weather over the next couple of weeks which may slow the harvest.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing with pricing being one of the main variables in the major supermarkets offering based upon store location; sizing stocked and banner. The majority of stores this week were still stocking NZ Hass, with fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 20 to 26 days. A number of Woolworths stores were found to be stocking both Hass (NZ and WA) and new season Shepards; with half of the display devoted to each varietal. At Carindale, the Shepards were positioned on the rear of the A Frame display - count 20’s selling for $1.50ea whilst the front display of Hass count 16/18’s were selling at $1.80ea. A number of the Greenskin Shepards had stings and there were also a number of body rots found throughout the display.

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 $1.30 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass (large sizes) ticketed at $1.80 and Shepards at $1.50ea depending upon fruit size and store location. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm.

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Carindale, Toowoomba and Indooroopilly Displays

Coles stores had 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 Carindale, Toowoomba and Indooroopilly Displays

NZ Hass loose @ $1.19 each everywhere. All fruit was well stocked- Fruit age 27 days.
6 piece Hass nets filled with NZ fruit at $5.99.

Below: Woolworths Carindale, Toowoomba and Indooroopilly Displays

Stores had The Avocado Collective WA Count 18/20 Hass avocados at $1.50-$1.80 each and Greenskin Count 20/23 Shepard avocados also at $1.50 each - a presence of minor skin marking; rots and a few stings amongst the new season Shepards - a good mix of maturity on offer throughout the Hass displays.
5 piece packs on special at $5.50/ pack.

INDEPENDENT STORE CARINDALE

Hass and Shepard Avocados at 2 for $5.00; a second retailer in this same centre were offering Shepards 3 for $5.00.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Last week the total industry production was just shy of 453K cartons which is some 11,211 cartons less than the previous week. 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 20 to 24.9C; day time temperatures have been somewhat milder close to a top of 32C with a range of 28.5 to 32.2C. In terms of rainfall up to Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate falls with Tully receiving the most rain with some 137mm; Innisfail receiving 116mm; Walkamin receiving 12mm; and Mareeba with a total of 79mm 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 $2.99 to $3.49/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $14-$26 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

Cavendish in general this week presented reasonably well. Again there was a presence of heat stress fruit on a number of shelves. 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 the stores visited this week were found to have a presence of low level minor dry scar; rust thrip damage; bronzing; bruising; small rub marks and sap staining. Colour was generally good with more plentiful supplies of fruit that was ready to eat.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied this week amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at $3.50/kg and Coles also offered fruit at $3.50/kg.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Carindale, Toowoomba and Indooroopilly Displays

Cavendish was priced at $3.50-$3.90/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 and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

Below: Aldi Carindale, Toowoomba and Indooroopilly Displays

Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/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 Carindale, Toowoomba and Indooroopilly Displays

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/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.