2022-Week -34

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QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

·    Week 33 - A total of 467,886 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents an increase of 11% ( approx. 46500 more trays) on Week 32, 2022 production – Central Qld maintained the lead in production accounting for 50% of this volume; followed by Central NSW in second place contributed 20% of this; 11% from South Qld and North Qld and Tristate both with 6% each whilst WA contributed 5% of the total. The remaining 2% is made up of contributions from Tamborine, Sunshine Coast and Northern Rivers.

·       It is forecast that a total of 438K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two to three weeks is for slightly lower quantities of approximately 380K to 400K trays per week. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 416,626 trays.

Major supermarkets were somewhat closer in monetary terms in their offering this week for avocado pricing with premium Hass ticketed at $1.69 to $1.80ea.  Hass market pricing seems to be stabilising with very little change in this area. Prices ranging between $16-$28/tray for premium and a range of $11 -$17/tray for class one.  Having said that, both the Brisbane and Sydney markets have main sales of premium trays within $24-$26 band, Melbourne is holding strong with sales of top premium at $28-$30 currently. 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.

We are supplying Hass grown in the SE corner of the state from the region of Blackbutt. This region continues to experience some cool overnight/morning temps in recent weeks ranging 3.0-10C and daytimes warming up to 17-24.3C - which makes for some brisk early mornings on the farm leading into glorious days. Our Packing team are working hard to ensure fruit quality is within specification each week. Main fruit sizing continues to be Ct 20-23 - as spring gets underway next week the farm will increase their weekly harvest slightly as demand should also grow with more customers looking for this versatile fruit. Our growers from SW NSW, more specifically in the region of Barham are also working hard to ensure specifications are met and that fruit quality is consistent throughout the season.

Hass Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing - though there was a couple of lines with early stage body rot development and blue copper residue noted this week. Fruit age ranged 8 to 20 days from packed date on 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 $1.69ea in store;  Coles Qld had Central Qld and NQ Hass ticketed at $1.50 to $1.70ea depending upon store location, whilst Woolworths had Central Qld grown Hass selling at $1.50 to $1.80/piece depending upon store location and size of fruit.  The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to just about ready to eat - the majority of stores had fruit that was firmer this week on average - odd bruising/body rot observed.  

 

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Jindalee, Fairfield and Carindale Displays

  • Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at $1.50-1.80ea. Fruit was well presented - all 7-14 days old and just yielding to firm with respects to maturity.

  • 5pks selling for $7.90ea and 1kg prepacks at $6.90ea

 

Below: Aldi Mt Ommaney, Fairfield and Carindale Displays

  • Purpleskin Hass and Greenskin Gmax fruit in counts 23/25 loose @ $1.69 each.

  • Fruit age ranging 6 to 15 days.

  • 5 piece Hass nets at $6.49 and 1kg market packs also at $6.49ea.

 

Below: Woolworths Mt Ommaney, Moorooka and Carindale Displays

  • Stores had Howe Farming (Aus Produce Partners); Simpson Farms(Tinaroo Falls) and Purpleskin Hass avocados at $1.80 each. All avocados 8-14 days old - some fruit is yielding to gentle pressure.

  • 1kg packs priced at $5.00ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea.

 

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Whilst National transport figures for last week were approximately 466,000 cartons which is an increase of some 20,000 cartons on the previous week. As stated last week, we expect overall production to start increasing steadily with each week as the weather is progressively warming with the commencement of spring only a couple of weeks away. In the last week however we saw another dip below 10C in early A.M. temperatures with lows of 7.4 - 15.2 C across the growing regions - unfortunately these lows will lengthen the presence of underpeel discolouration coming from all regions. Day time temperatures were considerably warmer ranging 23.0 to 28.9C - across the week. In terms of rainfall, most regions have remained dry in the last week with just Walkamin receiving 0.4mm. We continue to actively pulling back on Cavendish banana bunch age to avoid overfull fruit and subsequent splitting, we are currently at 17-18 weeks bunch age - with the weather continuing to warm bunch age will continue to decrease. 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. With the most recent cold snap being this week we are likely to see a presence of fruit with dull bloom through until at least the end of November, maybe even extending into December.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $3.29 to $4.49/kg this week.  The markets all have light to moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $18-$34 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 $4.49/kg at the first store visited which did not have any close comp nearby however in the larger centres Aldi’s ticketed price for bananas was $3.99/kg; whilst Woolies offered fruit at $4.00/kg in all three stores frequented and Coles offered fruit at $4.00-$4.50/kg depending upon the location of the store visited. Fruit was presented neatly on assigned displays, there was a presence of dull fruit to varying degrees, on show in all outlets again this week as can be expected for the next few months.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Jindalee, Fairfield and Carindale Displays

  • Cavendish was priced at $4.00-4.90/kg. Kids packs at $4.00-4.90ea.

  • 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 Mt Ommaney, Fairfield and Carindale Displays

  • Stores had Cavendish @ $3.99-4.49/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 Mt Ommaney, Moorooka and Carindale Displays

  • Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00-4.90/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 $7.50/kg