QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 12 - 479,189 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents an 0.37% decrease ( or some 1,798 less cartons) on Week 11 -2022 production – North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 61.5% of this; followed by WA with 21.4%; then Central Qld at 16.8% and Central NSW with the remaining 0.3%.

· The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 465,813 trays.

· It is forecast that a total of 404K trays will be despatched this week nationally,

All major supermarkets are selling premium Shepards’ at $1.00 to $1.20ea . Hass, new season NQ fruit, were found at Woolworths stores selling these at $1.80 per piece and Coles for $1.20, though there is a difference in size of fruit; whilst independents were selling class one larger WA fruit for $2.00/piece or 3 large pieces for $6 depending upon variety/quality/size. Hass pricing did remained steady with a top now of $20/tray and a range of $16 -$20/tray for premium. The continued supply of WA Hass and now the early season Autumn/Meluma Hass in the supply chains/markets is certainly playing havoc with Shepard sales. We have seen a number of independent retailers who started the NQ season by stocking both Hass and Shepard, now stocking only Hass. Shepard pricing in the market has slipped slightly fetching a top of $10.00-$14.00/tray for premiums in the market; class one Shepards’ back to $7-$10/tray; and bulks sales have been a mixed bag, with a lack of demand seeing bulks being sold for $1 to $12, in some cases cartons have been dumped with no return.

The weather in North Qld for our Shepard crop has seen daytime temperatures ranging 17.9 to 33.5C with rain showers being isolated throughout the week. There continues to be varying levels of rainfall across regions like Mareeba who received a total of 0.8mm across the week and yet other regions receiving 2mm-6mm.

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 Shepards age was 6 to 18 days; whilst new season Hass tended to be around 8 days old. 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. Coles this week were also found to be stocking new season Autumn Hass.

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 both NQ Shepards and new season Autumn Hass ticketed at $1.20 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays Shepards at $1.00 to $1.20ea and new season NQ Hass ticketed at $1.80ea. 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 Garden City, Carindale and Browns Plains Displays

In all of the three stores visited, Coles stores Shepards avocados priced at $1.20ea. Fruit was well presented, all packed between 17th-22nd March so between 8-13 days old and just yielding to firm with respects to maturity.
1kg Im Perfect packs on special this week retailing for $4.90ea. Coles 5pks selling for $5.50ea.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Carindale and Browns Plains Displays

Simpson Farms fruit in counts 23/25 loose @ $1.19 each everywhere. Most stock packed 24th March therefore fruit age is 6 days old.
6 piece Shepard nets at $5.49.

Below: Woolworths Garden City, Carindale and Browns Plains Displays

Stores had Purpleskin Hass avocados at $1.50-1.80 each and Greenskin Shepard avocados at $1.00-1.30 each. All avocados packed 17th-22nd so fruit age is 8-13 days - some fruit is yielding to gentle pressure.
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 $5.00/ pack and 1kg packs at $4.00ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Last week we saw the total banana industry production drop to 379K cartons, which represented a decline of just over 100K cartons on the week prior. The weather patterns are showing signs of change with slightly cooler mornings and peaks under 35C in the far North this week. Morning temperatures have been be a touch cooler across all NQ regions with early a.m. temps falling within a range of 17.9- to 23.1C; whilst day time temperatures have been similar to last week with a top of just 34C -within a range of 27.8 to 34C across the week. In terms of rainfall, all major North Qld growing regions experienced much lighter falls with Mareeba recording just 0.8m; Walkamin receiving 0.5mm; whilst both Innisfail and Tully receiving around 15mm across the week each. 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 though we have been grading out some fruit speckle. 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 $1.50 to $2.49/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $16-$26 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 $2.49/kg; whilst both Woolies and Coles offered fruit at $2.50/kg at the stores visited.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Garden City, Carindale and Browns Plains 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.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Carindale and Browns Plains Displays

Stores had Cavendish @ $2.49/kg- there was a common presence of some light bruising/skin marking and neck damage.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.

Below: Woolworths Garden City, Carindale and Browns Plains Displays

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50/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 $4.50/kg