2022-Week -22
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:
· Week 21 - 462,012 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a slight decrease of 5% ( or some 25,000 or so less cartons) on Week 20, 2022 production – North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 65% of this; followed by Central Qld with 30%; 2.9% from South Qld and the remaining 2.1% is made up of a contribution from Central NSW and Northern Rivers/Tamborine.
· It is forecast that a total of 421K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two weeks is for between 385-400K trays per week and then supply is forecast to lighten to approximately 370K trays/week by mid-late June. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 427,922 trays.
All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.49 to $1.70ea . Hass pricing has come back this week, with prices ranging between $18-$24/tray for premium and a range of $14 -$18/tray for class one. There continues to be very few bulk Hass on the market currently as what is available is being used for prepacking to service the supermarkets predominantly.
The weather in North Qld for our avocado crop has seen daytime temperatures ranging 12.8 to 29.6C with lighter, more sporadic rain in the last week which has been welcomed. Unfortunately as our fruit travels and time passes we are seeing the development of some nodule damage - despite the fact that every care has been taken to avoid picking fruit when wet and to treat the fruit with due care to minimise damage - a level of lenticel/nodule damage is present. We have our ripening partners assessing fruit to specification and raising a flag if the level exceeds permissible levels to enable us to either seek a temporary variance to spec or move fruit to the market floor depending upon the severity.
Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing though some of the new season hass had a presence of moderate lenticel/nodule damage relating to recent rain in the growing region. Fruit age ranged 8 to 14 days.
In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass and Gmax avos selling this week at a ticket price of $1.49ea; Coles Qld had NQ Hass ticketed at $1.50ea and Gmax selling at $2.00ea; whilst Woolworths Qld had Hass selling at $1.70/piece depending upon store location and Gmax selling at $2.50ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to soft (especially amongst the hass, any piece with a dull hue and sun blemish tended to be quite soft).
independent at indooroopilly at a wonderful display of class one rock ridge farming fruit - 3 large hass for $6.00
NEWS FLASH
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NEWS FLASH 〰️
Coles advertising - avocados featured in courier mail 03-06-22 to promote special
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Fairfield, Corinda and Indooroopilly Displays
Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at $1.50ea (though old ticketing was still present on the end display -$1.70ea or 2 for $3.00) and were also stocking Greenskins Gmax avos selling at $2.00 ea. Fruit was well presented - all 7-14 days old and just yielding to firm with respects to maturity. Growers seen this week were Rock Ridge Farming, Costa Farms; other stickered lines and Greenskins GMAX.
Both 1kg I’m Perfect packs and 5pks selling for $6.50ea.
Below: Aldi Fairfield, Acacia Ridge and Indooroopilly Displays
Dorian Consultancy Hass; Purpleskin Hass and Greenskin Gmax fruit in counts 23/25 loose @ $1.49 each. Some of the Purpleskin Hass were quite marked (lenticel/nodule damage as well as skin blemishing)
Fruit age ranging 8 to 14 days.
5 piece Hass nets at $4.99 and 1kg marketpacks at $5.99ea.
Below: Woolworths Moorooka, Acacia Ridge and Indooroopilly Displays
Stores had Purpleskin Hass avocados at $1.50-1.70 each and Greenskin Gmax avocados at $2.50 each. All avocados 8-14 days old - some fruit is yielding to gentle pressure.
Both Prepacks priced at $7.00ea.
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In the last week, morning temperatures have been noticeably cooler falling within a range of 12.8- to 20C; whilst day time temperatures have been similar to last week with a top of 29.6C -within a range of 26.8 to 29.6C across the week which for NQld is mild. In terms of rainfall, all major North Qld growing regions have been experiencing light rain in most growing regions experienced. Both Tully and Innisfail regions received 1.4mm to 4.2mm accumulatively throughout the week. Walkamin and Mareeba experienced more sporadic light falls totalling 3.8mm for the week. Cavendish banana bunch age is still in the vicinity of 16 weeks, with fruit quality generally good overall in our packshed though we continue to grade out some light scarring. Fruit bloom at this stage is still bright but as this week we officially start winter and from here on in the weather will continue to cool and not only will we will see bunch age increase over the coming weeks and months but if field temperatures fall below 10C we may start to see a dulling of fruit in appearance.
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 $15-$29 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.
The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well and fruit is exhibiting good bloom. There was still a presence of minor dry scar; minor neck damage; as well as bronzing; bruising; small rub marks and sap staining. Colour was generally good.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas has come back a little 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 offered fruit at $3.00 to $3.50/kg and Coles offered fruit at $3.00 to $3.50/kg depending upon location of the stores visited.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Fairfield, Corinda and Indooroopilly Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.00-3.50/kg. Kids packs at $3.00-3.50ea.
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; neck injuries, rub and general scarring also found.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg. Red Tips at $4.90/kg.
Below: Aldi Fairfield, Acacia Ridge and Indooroopilly Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/kg- there was a small presence of some green fruit, light bruising/skin marking and neck damage. A couple of isolated dull clusters observed.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.
Below: Woolworths Moorooka, Acacia Ridge and Indooroopilly Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00-3.50/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $2.50. Displays were generally well presented whilst again some minor neck damage and light skin marking - a few odd clusters found spotting.
Lady fingers were priced at $7.90/kg, Red tips were priced at $4.50/kg (these were on special)- quite a number of the Red Tips presented poorly with more marking than usual and Organic Clusters $5.50/kg
