2022-Week -35
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:
· Week 34 - A total of 446,680 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents an 5% decrease ( approx. 21000 less trays) on Week 33, 2022 production – Central Qld maintained the lead in production accounting for 40% of this volume; followed by Central NSW in second place contributed 19% of this; 15% from South Qld; WA contributed 8%; Tristate 6% and New Zealand at 5.5% of the overall total. The remaining 5.5% is made up of contributions from North Qld, Tamborine, Sunshine Coast and Northern Rivers.
· It is forecast that a total of 369K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two to three weeks is for slightly lower quantities of approximately 340K to 350K trays per week. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 438,499 trays.
Major supermarkets were again relatively close 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 have stabilised with very little change comparative to last week. Prices ranging between $16-$28/tray for premium and a range of $11 -$17/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.
We are supplying Hass grown in the SE corner of Qld from the region of Blackbutt. This region continues to experience some cool overnight/morning temps in recent weeks ranging 1.8-11C and daytimes warming up to 15-20.3C - 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 - we had intended on packing a little more this week from this region, however the weather had other ideas with rainfall impacting the number of harvestable hours. All going well we look to increase our production by 10-20% throughout the next 6-8 weeks. 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 - fruit quality from this region has been good with supplies expected for another six weeks.
Hass Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 6 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 $1.70ea depending upon store location, whilst Woolworths had Central Qld grown Hass selling at $1.70 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.
In the graphical depiction below, courtesy of Neilson Harvest to Home data, it is interesting to note that whilst there has definitely been an uptake in both the number of households purchasing the humble avocado (rising by 4%) and indeed the volume being purchased ( an approx. increase of 13%), it is not quite keeping pace with the overall value of the avocado, which is well down for the period 52 weeks to 17 July 2022 (with dollar sales reducing by 25.7%) which can be directly related to industry production levels.
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Indooroopilly, Toowoomba and Sunnybank Hills Displays
Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at $1.70ea. 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 $5.00ea
Below: Aldi Indooroopilly, Toowoomba and Sunnybank Hills 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 $5.99 and 1kg market packs on special at $4.99ea.
Below: Woolworths Indooroopilly, Toowoomba and Sunnybank Hills Displays
Stores had Howe Farming (Aus Produce Partners); Simpson Farms(Tinaroo Falls) and Purpleskin Hass avocados at $1.70-1.80 each. All avocados 8-14 days old - some fruit is yielding to gentle pressure.
1kg packs priced at $6.90ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea.
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
National transport figures for last week were approximately 450,000 cartons. 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. As far as weather conditions this week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures ranged 11.3 - 21.5 C across the growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were considerably warmer ranging 22.0 to 28.2C - across the week. In terms of rainfall, both Tully and Innisfail received in the vicinity of 84mm each across the week, whilst the other major growing regions received much lighter falls of 0.6 to 9.2mm. Cavendish banana bunch age is currently at 17 weeks with this expected to be back to 16 weeks by later this month as the weather continues to warm. 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. We expect to see the presence of underpeel chill and hence dull bloom through until at least the end of November, maybe even extending into December.
Independent retailers were selling bananas at $3.00 to $3.49/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $16-$30 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 at $3.50/kg in all three stores frequented and Coles offered fruit at $4.00/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 Indooroopilly, Toowoomba and Sunnybank Hills Displays
Cavendish was priced at $4.00/kg. Kids packs at $4.00ea.
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 $5.50/kg.
Below: Aldi Indooroopilly, Toowoomba 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 $5.99/kg.
Below: Woolworths Indooroopilly, Toowoomba 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 $6.00/kg
