2022-Week -30
/QUICKLINKS
AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:
· Week 29 - A total of 414,082 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a decrease of 3.6% ( or just over 15,000 trays) on Week 29, 2022 production – Central Qld maintained the lead in production accounting for 53% of this volume and North Qld in second place contributed 26% of this; 9% from Central NSW and 8% from South Qld. The remaining 4% is made up of contributions from WA (yes that’s right, a low volume is already trickling in) Northern Rivers/Tamborine and Sunshine Coast. This week we should finalise the harvest of Rock Ridge Farming fruit - the team have worked hard to deliver on quantity and quality each week. As far as the quality of our fruit is concerned, it has been an excellent season with numerous industry reports finding our fruit scoring well above average.
· It is forecast that a total of 367K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two weeks to three weeks is for similar quantities of approximately 350K to 360K trays per week. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 376,652 trays.
Major supermarkets were united in terms of avo pricing this week with premium Hass ticketed at $0.99 to $1.20ea . Hass market pricing has increase slightly this week. Prices ranging between $10-$20/tray for premium and a range of $8 -$12/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 to 27C whilst there have been some cool mornings on the Tablelands. We will soon be starting with Hass grown in the SE corner of the state, namely Blackbutt, who have also experience some cool overnight/morning temps in recent weeks ranging 5-12C and daytimes warming up to 19-22C. The outlook for the season from this corner of the state is indeed positive, with fruit quality on the tree looking lovely with average sizing at this stage considered to be Ct 20-23 - harvesting should commence next week.
Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing Fruit age ranged 8 to 16 days.
In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass selling this week at a ticket price of $0.99ea in store though the catalogue price had fruit at $1.19ea; Coles Qld had NQ Hass ticketed at $1.20ea, whilst Woolworths Qld had Hass selling at $1.00 to $1.20/piece depending upon store location. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to just about ready to eat.
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Beenleigh, Garden City and Indooroopilly Displays
Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at $1.20ea. Fruit was well presented - all 7-14 days old and just yielding to firm with respects to maturity.
1kg I’m Perfect packs at $4.00ea and 5pks selling for $6.00ea.
Below: Aldi Beenleigh, Garden City and Indooroopilly Displays
Purpleskin Hass and Greenskin Gmax fruit in counts 23/25 loose @ $0.99 each.
Fruit age ranging 6 to 15 days.
5 piece Hass nets at $4.49 and 1kg market packs also at $4.49ea.
Below: Woolworths Beenleigh, Garden City and Indooroopilly Displays
Stores had Howe Farming (Aus Produce Partners); Simpson Farms(Tinaroo Falls) and Purpleskin Hass avocados at $1.00-1.20 each. All avocados 8-14 days old - some fruit is yielding to gentle pressure.
1kg packs priced at $4.00ea and 5 piece packs at $5.00ea..
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
National transport figures for last week was 389,472 cartons, a decrease of 5.5% on the previous week or some 22,899 fewer cartons. In the last week, morning temperatures have been noticeably cooler - winter has finally come to North Qld with minimums falling within a range of 10.8- to 19.1C; whilst day time temperatures have only seen a top of 27.8C -within a range of 23 to 27.8C across the week which for NQld is slightly warmer than recent weeks. The weather has continued to have cool overnight temps and early mornings of 10.8-12.5C. In terms of rainfall, most regions had minimal falls ranging 0.4 to 1.6mm across the week. Cavendish banana bunch age is now falling in the vicinity of 16-17 weeks, with fruit quality generally good overall in our packshed though we now seeing the presence of underpeel chill after previous weeks of cold overnight and morning lows as well as some light scarring. Fruit bloom will be impacted by the weather we have been experiencing - such lows cause a temporary cessation of sap flow which results in the sub-epidermal layer greying/browning which reflects outward through the peel with the fruit having a dull appearance. Whilst this does impact the fresh appeal of the banana, it in no way negatively impacts the flavour or eating quality of the fruit - in fact, winter grown fruit is normally a little sweeter as it takes longer to grow.
Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.99 to $3.49/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $14-$28 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.
The presentation of Cavendish presented this week reflected the cooler temperatures we have been experiencing both on the Tablelands and along the coast reasonably well with less bright bloomed fruit and a growing presence of fruit with dull bloom of varying degrees. 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 was fairly uniform this week in comparison to the week prior with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.49/kg; whilst Woolies offered fruit $3.50/kg and Coles also offered fruit at $3.50/kg depending upon location of the stores visited. Fruit was presented neatly on assigned displays, there was a presence of dull fruit on show in all outlets this week.
RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS
Below: Coles Beenleigh, Garden City and Indooroopilly Displays
Cavendish was priced at $2.98-3.50/kg. Kids packs at $3.50ea.
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 $5.50/kg.
Below: Aldi Beenleigh, Garden City and Indooroopilly Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg- there was a small presence of some green fruit, light bruising/skin marking and neck damage.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.49/kg.
Below: Woolworths Beenleigh, Garden City and Indooroopilly Displays
Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $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 $5.50/kg and Organic Clusters $5.50/kg
