2022-Week -24
/QUICKLINKS
AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:
· Week 23 - 402,307 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a decrease of 10% ( or some 44,000 or so less cartons) on Week 22, 2022 production – North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 56% of this; followed by Central Qld with 37%; 3.8% from South Qld and the remaining 3.2% is made up of a contribution from Central NSW and Northern Rivers/Tamborine and Sunny coast.
· It is forecast that a total of 397K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two weeks to three weeks is for between 340-371K trays per week. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 449,580 trays.
All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.20 to $1.60ea . Hass market pricing is comparable to last week, with prices ranging between $14-$18/tray for premium and a range of $10 -$14/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 10.6 to 25.5C with no rain this week at all. Fruit quality from our packing shed has been good, still seeing some light lenticel damage but we continue to grade out anything with heavier marking to ensure fruit is in spec. We are still experiencing a significant proportion of our crop being count 16’s - we sure do know how to grow them big!
Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing though some of the hass had a presence of light to moderate lenticel/nodule damage relating to recent rain in the growing region. Fruit age ranged 9 to 16 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 $1.29ea; Coles Qld had NQ Hass ticketed at $1.20ea and Gmax selling at $2.00ea; whilst Woolworths Qld had larger counts Hass selling at $1.60/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).
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Indooroopilly, Carindale and Mt Gravatt Central Displays
Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at $1.20ea 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.
1kg I’m Perfect packs at $6.50ea and 5pks selling for $7.50ea. Organic Avos also available at one store, priced at $4.00ea.
Below: Aldi Indooroopilly, Carindale and Mt Gravatt East Displays
Dorian Consultancy and Ferraro Farming Hass; Purpleskin Hass and Greenskin Gmax fruit in counts 23/25 loose @ $1.29 each.
Fruit age ranging 8 to 14 days.
5 piece Hass nets at $5.99 and 1kg market packs also at $5.99ea.
There was even an Aldi truck making a delivery on the day of my visit which was promoting avocados!
Below: Woolworths Indooroopilly, Carindale and Mt Gravatt Central Displays
Stores had Pogioli Hass; Simpson Farms Hass avocados at $1.60 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 $6.50ea.
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
National transport figures for last week was 387,606 cartons, some 13,000 less than the week prior. In the last week, morning temperatures have been noticeably cooler falling within a range of 9.2- to 20.5C; whilst day time temperatures have been similar to last week with a top of 25.5C -within a range of 19.8 to 25.5C across the week which for NQld is mild. In terms of rainfall, all major North Qld growing regions have had their first dry week in a long time. Cavendish banana bunch age is still in the vicinity of 15-16 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 the weather continues to cool; not only will we will see bunch age increase over the coming weeks but we may now start seeing a dulling/greying of fruit appearance. This is due to cold temperatures (usually under 10C for a few hours) causing a slowing or temporary cessation of sap flow which results in the sub-epidermal layer browning/greying which reflects outward through the peel, the result is fruit with dull bloom and in more extreme cases the fruit looks grey.
Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.99 to $2.99/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $0-$26 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.
The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well and fruit generally exhibiting good bloom - few odd clusters starting to show a presence of dull peel but believed not to be due to growing conditions at this stage. There was 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 $2.49/kg; whilst both Woolies offered fruit at $2.50 to $3.00/kg and Coles offered fruit at $2.00 to $3.00/kg depending upon location of the stores visited.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Indooroopilly, Carindale and Mt Gravatt Central Displays
Cavendish was priced at $2.00-3.00/kg. Kids packs at $2.00-3.00ea.
Quality across stores was quite good though some clusters found with minor skin marking. 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 Indooroopilly, Carindale and Mt Gravatt East Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $2.49/kg- there was a small presence of some green fruit, light bruising/skin marking and neck damage.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.
Below: Woolworths Indooroopilly, Carindale and Mt Gravatt Central Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50- 3.00/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 $4.90/kg and Organic Clusters $5.50/kg
