2022-Week 14
/QUICKLINKS
AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:
· Week 13 - 421,626 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a 12% decrease ( or some 57,563 less cartons) on Week 12 -2022 production – North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 63% of this; followed by WA with 22%; then Central Qld at 14.8% and Central NSW with the remaining 0.2%.
· The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 441,606 trays.
· It is forecast that a total of 363K trays will be despatched this week nationally,
All major supermarkets are selling premium Shepards’ at $1.19 to $1.30ea . 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/NQ Hass for $2.00/piece or 3 large pieces for $5 and loose Shepards at $0.99 cents each and a 4 piece prepack for $2.99 - 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. Shepard’s are still only fetching a top of $10.00-$14.00/tray for premiums in the market; with class one Shepards’ back to $7-$10/tray.
The weather in North Qld for our Shepard crop has seen daytime temperatures ranging 16.2to 33.6C with dry conditions which is great for picking.
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 13 to 15 days; whilst new season Hass tended to be around 8 days old. A number of Woolworths stores are stocking NQ Hass and new season Shepards; with half of the display devoted to each varietal. Coles likewise are offering both new season Autumn Hass (NQ) and Shepards side by side at the same price.
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 $1.30ea and new season NQ Hass ticketed at $1.80ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm. There was a greater proportion of Hass yielding than the Shepards in general.
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Forest Lake, Cooparoo and Mt Ommaney Displays
In all of the three stores visited, Coles stores Shepards avocados priced at $1.20ea. Fruit was well presented, all 8-13 days old and just yielding to firm with respects to maturity.
1kg Im Perfect packs on special this week retailing for $3.99ea. Coles 5pks selling for $5.50ea.
Below: Aldi Forest Lake, Cooparoo, Drewvale and Mt Ommaney Displays
Simpson Farms fruit in counts 23/25 loose @ $1.19 each everywhere.
6 piece Shepard nets at $4.49 and 1kg packs at $3.99ea!
Below: Woolworths Forest Lake, Cooparoo and Mt Ommaney Displays
Stores had Purpleskin Hass avocados at $1.80 each and Greenskin Shepard avocados at $1.30 each. All avocados 8-13 days old - 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 lift slightly to 389K cartons, which represented an increase of just over 9K cartons on the week prior. The weather patterns are showing signs of change with slightly cooler mornings and peaks under 33C 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 16.2- to 22.9C; whilst day time temperatures have been similar to last week with a top of just 33.6C -within a range of 28.7 to 33.6C across the week. In terms of rainfall, all major North Qld growing regions were relatively dry with only the Tully region receiving a light 1.2mm 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 though we continue to grade 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 $0.99 to $3.00/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $12-$22 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.
The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well. 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 Forest Lake, Cooparoo and Mt Ommaney 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 Forest Lake, Cooparoo, Drewvale and Mt Ommaney 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 Forest Lake, Cooparoo and Mt Ommaney 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 $4.90/kg.
Organic Clusters $4.50/kg
