QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 11 - 480,987 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a 4% increase ( or some 18,642 more trays) on Week 10-2022 production – North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 61.2% of this; followed by WA with 25.8%; then Central Qld at 12.8% and Central NSW with the remaining 0.2%.

· The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 453,487 trays.

· It is forecast that a total of 427K trays will be despatched this week nationally with approximately 73% of these expected to be new season Shepards.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Shepards’ at $1.19 to $1.20ea . Hass, new season NQ fruit, were only found at Woolworths stores selling these 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. 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 $8-$10/tray.

The weather in North Qld for our Shepard crop has seen daytime temperatures ranging 19 to 30C with rain showers being scattered throughout the week. There continues to be varying levels of rainfall across regions like Mareeba who received a total of 20mm across the week and yet other regions receiving 24mm-40mm - with this in mind, we structure our harvesting programme 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; on days with heavier falls we do not pick at all.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing with pricing being a consistent offer across major supermarkets - the variation this week was noted in the sizing stocked by each 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 $1.20 and new season NQ Hass ticketed at $1.50ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm. ·

Above: Featured in the Coles magazine this week, a glorious 5 page spread of recipes and food photography featuring the Avocado!

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Loganholme, Springwood and Indooroopilly Displays

In all of the three stores visited, Coles stores had Greenskins/Zebra Avos(Murray Bros)/Howe Farming (Aust Produce Partners)/Ferraro (Freshmax)/Dorian (Majestic Fruit Co) and Kureen Farming and Rockridge Shepards avocados priced at $1.20ea. Fruit was well presented, all packed between 8-11th March so between 12-15 days old and just yielding to firm with respects to maturity. Odd lenticel and rub markings detected on a couple of lines.
1kg Im Perfect packs on special this week retailing for $3.90ea. Coles 5pks selling for $5.50ea.

Below: Aldi Loganholme, Springwood and Indooroopilly Displays

Greenskin Shepards/Simpson Farms/Delais Orchards fruit in counts 23/25 loose @ $1.19 each everywhere. Most stock packed 10-15th March therefore fruit age is 8-13 days old. Some lenticel damage on Greenskin fruit observed.
6 piece Shepard nets at $5.49.

Below: Woolworths Loganholme, Chatswood and Indooroopilly Displays

Stores had Purpleskin Hass avocados at $1.50 each and Greenskin/Leadwood/Nature’s Fruit Company Shepard avocados at $1.20 each. Shepards packed 10-11th so fruit age is 12-13 days - some fruit is yielding to gentle pressure; Hass packed 16th March so 7 days old and very firm.
A low level presence of a little lenticel damage, skin scarring, one rot oberved.
Some stores had a guide to selection Shepards, noting that the green colour lasts longer and that there is a dulling of colour as the fruit ripens.
5 piece packs at $5.50/ pack and 1kg packs at $5.50ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Last week the total banana industry production was in the vicinity of 470K cartons. The weather patterns of heat and sunshine have definitely continued but so has the rain 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 18.6- to 23.8C; whilst day time temperatures have definitely been a little milder with a top of just 30.8C -within a range of 26.2 to 30.8C across the week. In terms of rainfall, all major North Qld growing regions experienced varying falls with Mareeba recording a total fall of 20mm; Walkamin receiving 24mm; whilst both Innisfail and Tully had much heavier total falls of 262mm and 282mm respectively across the week. Cavendish banana bunch age is still in the vicinity of 14-15 weeks, with fruit quality generally found to be good overall in our packshed. As we are now in the autumnal season the weather will continue to gradually cool and we will see bunch age increase over the coming weeks and months.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $0.99 to $2.29/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $14-$24 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well though there has still been a lower level presence of heat stressed fruit on a number of shelves. Fruit at the stores visited this week were found to have a presence of minor dry scar; minor neck damage; 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 $1.99/kg; whilst both Woolies and Coles offered fruit at $2.00 to $2.50/kg at the stores visited.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Loganholme, Springwood and Indooroopilly Displays

Cavendish was priced at $2.50/kg. Kids packs also at $2.50ea.
Quality across stores was quite good though some clusters found with minor skin marking and still a noticeable presence of heat affected fruit. Both minor and major bruising also found. Organic variety priced at $4.00/kg.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

Below: Aldi Loganholme, Springwood and Indooroopilly Displays

Stores had Cavendish @ $1.99/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 Loganholme, Chatswood and Indooroopilly Displays

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $2.00-$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