2022-Week 11
/QUICKLINKS
AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:
· Week 10 - 462,345 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a 5% increase ( or some 21,615 more trays) on Week 9-2022 production – North Qld has now surpassed WA in terms of production accounting for 66% of this; followed by WA with 31% (143K). The remaining 3% came from Central Qld, Tristate and Central NSW.
· The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 462,692 trays.
· It is forecast that a total of 426K trays will be despatched this week nationally with approximately 77% of these expected to be new season Shepards.
All major supermarkets are selling premium Shepards’ at $1.19 to $1.50ea . Hass were only found at Woolworths stores selling at $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit for $2.00/piece or 2 or 3 large pieces for $6 depending upon variety/quality/size. There has been a slight easing of volumes in the southern markets but not much change to pricing post the impact of the floods. Hass pricing did come back a little with a top now of $20/tray and a range of $16 -$20/tray for premium. Shepard’s are still only fetching a top of $15.00/tray for premiums in the market; with class one Shepards’ back to $9-$13/tray.
The weather in North Qld for our Shepard crop has seen daytime temperatures ranging 24.5 to 34C with rainfall being more prevalent since the weekend. There continues to be some rainfall with regions like Mareeba receiving a total of 40mm across the week and yet other regions have only received 42mm-91mm - with this in mind, we structure our harvesting on our farms to suit the prevailing weather conditions ie if it has been raining overnight, we don’t commence picking until mid-morning to allow the fruit time to dry off all in an effort to reduce the likelihood of lenticel damage; heavier days we have not picked at all – it becomes a juggling act that we try to manage the best we can with prevailing conditions.
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. All three major supermarkets are now stocking new season Shepards, Fruit age for WA Hass was found to be in the vicinity of 16 days - whilst Shepards age was 7 to 13 days. A number of Woolworths stores were continuing to stock both Hass (WA) and new season Shepards; with half of the display devoted to each varietal.
In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had new season Shepard avos selling with a ticket price of $1.19ea; Coles Qld had Shepards ticketed at $1.20 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays Shepards at $1.30 to $150ea which tended to be fruit of larger size. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm. Notable rots found amongst the Greenskin Shepards on display at one Woolworths store in particular.
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Indooroopilly, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
In all of the three stores visited, Coles stores had Rockridge Shepards avocados priced at $1.20ea. Fruit presented beautifully and quality was top notch.
Below: Aldi Indooroopilly, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Greenskin Shepards in count 23/25 loose @ $1.19 each everywhere. Most stock packed 8th March therefore fruit age is 8 days.
6 piece Shepard nets at $4.99.
Below: Woolworths Indooroopilly, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Stores had The Avocado Collective WA Hass avocados at $1.20-$1.50 each and Greenskin Shepard avocados (rots were quite prolific in two of the three displays) at $1.20-$1.50 each. Indooroopilly also had Purpleskin Hass Ct 16 as a floor display next to the A frame display also priced at $1.50 ea.
5 piece packs at $5.50/ pack and 1kg packs at $5.50ea (some of this with major product defects and breakdown).
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In the aftermath of the flooding in the South East corner of Qld there is still a lot of work being done within the market precinct. The majority of sites have removed and dumped flood affected produce and equipment/furniture; sites have been cleaned and sanitised; pest prevention programmes/treatments are being completed; dock levellers are being repaired/replaced etc. Power is gradually being restored to various sites across the markets, and in some instances having to be re-energised again as a result of further faults being found in the lines. Our office is located in the commercial centre at the front of the markets – the switchboard has been destroyed by the floods and so we are still waiting for this to be repaired and for power to be restored – hoping by Friday. Considering everything, it has been a remarkable effort by all parties to clean and restore so much of the Brisbane Market operation back to a position that full trading has been possible in a relatively short period of time.
Last week the total banana industry production was in the vicinity of 476K cartons which included a resumption of supply to the Brisbane market in the mix. The weather patterns of heat and sunshine have definitely continued but from Sunday on, the rain has returned in the far North this week. Morning temperatures have continued to be a touch cooler across all NQ regions with early a.m. temps falling within a range of 20- to 24.8C; whilst day time temperatures have also been a little milder with a top of 34.8C within a range of 24.5 to 34.8C. In terms of rainfall, up to Friday, all major North Qld growing regions were relatively dry, however things changed on the weekend with Mareeba recording a total fall of 40mm; Walkamin receiving 42mm; whilst both Innisfail and Tully had much heavier total falls of 217mm and 197mm respectively from Sunday on. Cavendish banana bunch age is now at 14-15 weeks, with fruit quality generally found to be good overall in the packshed.
Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.99 to $3.29/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 better than the week prior. Still a presence of heat stressed fruit on a number of shelves. Fruit at the stores visited this week were found to have a presence of low level minor dry scar; minor neck damage was prevalent; as well as bronzing; bruising; small rub marks and sap staining. Colour was generally good; definitely more ready to eat fruit now, than eat later options.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas with little variance this week in comparison to the week prior and amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $2.99/kg; whilst both Woolies and Coles offered fruit at $3.00/kg at the stores visited.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Indooroopilly, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.00/kg.
Quality across stores was quite good though some clusters found with minor skin marking and still a noticeable presence of heat affected fruit.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.
Below: Aldi Indooroopilly, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/kg- there was a common presence of some light bruising/skin marking and neck damage. Some heat stressed fruit at one store.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.
Below: Woolworths Indooroopilly, Sunnybank Hills and Garden City Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $2.50. Displays were generally well presented and whilst again some minor neck damage and the impact of heat on fruit can be seen.
Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - some light rub, sooty mould and maturity bronzing found.
Red tips were priced at $4.50/kg.
Organic Clusters $5.50/kg
