2022-Week -31

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QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

·    Week 30 - A total of 359,192 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a decrease of 13% ( approx. 55,000 trays fewer) on Week 29, 2022 production – Central Qld maintained the lead in production accounting for 55.8% of this volume and North Qld in second place contributed 19.75% of this; 9.48% from Central NSW and 9.85% from South Qld. The remaining 5.12% is made up of contributions from WA, Northern Rivers/Tamborine and Sunshine Coast. Whilst our farm have finished harvesting for the 2022 season, there is work to be done, as any good farmer knows, so now we continue working on the orchard so that we can do it all again for 2023.

·       It is forecast that a total of 355K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two to three weeks is for slightly higher quantities of approximately 378K to 400K trays per week. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 359,530 trays.

Major supermarkets were varied in their offering this week in terms of avo pricing with premium Hass ticketed at $1.29 to $1.60ea.  Hass market pricing has increased slightly again this week. Prices ranging between $12-$22/tray for premium and a range of $10 -$15/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.

Whilst the NQ Avocado season has sadly come to a close, due to the marvellous geographical spread of this great Nation of ours and conducive growing conditions we will continue supplying Hass avocados. Next we will be supplying Hass grown in the SE corner of the state commencing in the next week to two weeks, from the region of Blackbutt. This region has also experienced some cool overnight/morning temps in recent weeks ranging 1.9-9.7C and daytimes warming up to 18-24C. 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 - the farm had a trial harvest this week with the first pack being undertaken by a certified Packhouse to test the system; which proved successful. Harvest will get underway next week with a steady stream of fruit to come from this region for the next few months. We are also working with a couple of growers from SW NSW who likewise are commencing their harvest this week…….. so exciting times ahead.

Hass Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing Fruit age ranged 7 to 9 days from tray labels that were visible. 

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 $1.29ea in store;  Coles Qld had NQ Hass ticketed at $1.20 to $1.60ea depending upon store location, whilst Woolworths Qld had Hass selling at $1.20-$1.50/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 Cannon Hill, Garden City and Sunnybank Hills Displays

  • Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at $1.20-1.60ea. Fruit was well presented - all 7-14 days old and just yielding to firm with respects to maturity.

  • 5pks selling for $7.90ea.

 

Below: Aldi Cannon Hill, Garden City and Sunnybank Hills Displays

  • Purpleskin Hass and Greenskin Gmax fruit in counts 23/25 loose @ $1.29 each.

  • Fruit age ranging 6 to 15 days.

  • 5 piece Hass nets at $4.99 and 1kg market packs also at $4.99ea.

 

Below: Woolworths Cannon Hill, Garden City and Sunnybank Hills Displays

  • Stores had Howe Farming (Aus Produce Partners); Simpson Farms(Tinaroo Falls) and Purpleskin Hass avocados at $1.20-1.50 each. All avocados 8-14 days old - some fruit is yielding to gentle pressure.

  • 1kg packs priced at $4.50ea and 5 piece packs at $6.00ea..

 

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Whilst National transport figures for last week were approximately 400,000 cartons, we don’t expect overall production to increase greatly until we hit warmer weather with the commencement of spring. In the last week, morning temperatures have been moderate for this time of year in North Qld with minimums falling within a range of 11.5- to 19.9C; whilst day time temperatures have only seen a top of 26.8C -within a range of 21.6 to 26.8C across the week which for NQld is on average slightly cooler than last week. In terms of rainfall, most regions had minimal falls ranging 0.2 to 5.2mm across the week with Innisfail being the exception receiving a total o 15mm. Cavendish banana bunch age is now falling in the vicinity of 16-17 weeks, with fruit quality generally good overall in our packshed though bloom has been negatively impacted by recent cold weather and hence we continue to see the presence of underpeel chill after previous weeks of cold overnight and morning lows. Sub-ten degree temperatures 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 $3.99/kg this week.  The markets all have light to 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 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 varied - slightly backward in some stores; developing to a good yellow hue.

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 to $4.00/kg and Coles also offered fruit at $3.50 to $3.80/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 Cannon Hill, Garden City and Sunnybank Hills Displays

  • Cavendish was priced at $3.50 to $3.80/kg. Kids packs at $3.50 to $3.80ea.

  • 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 $4.90-5.50/kg.

 

Below: Aldi Cannon Hill, Garden City and Sunnybank Hills 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 Cannon Hill, Garden City and Sunnybank Hills Displays

  • Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50-4.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.00. 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