2022-Week -36
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AVOCADO OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
In a nutshell the national production figures for last week were as follows:
· Week 35 - A total of 414,212 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents an 7% decrease ( approx. 32000 less trays) on Week 34, 2022 production – Central Qld maintained the lead in production accounting for 32% of this volume; followed by Central NSW in second place contributed 20% of this; 14.5% from South Qld; WA contributed 10.7%; as did Tristate; whilst New Zealand contributed 7% of the overall total. The remaining 5% is made up of contributions from North Qld, Tamborine, Sunshine Coast and Northern Rivers.
· It is forecast that a total of 348K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two to three weeks is for slightly lower quantities of approximately 325K to 355K trays per week. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 437,714 trays.
Major supermarkets were again relatively close in monetary terms in their offering this week for avocado pricing with premium Hass ticketed at $1.40 to $1.69ea. There has been a slight reduction in market pricing of hass in the last week, with some traders stock piling fruit (some of which has been self ripening and therefore needing to be cleared) so premium tray sales are tending to be in the mid twenties, main range $21-$25. Prices for class one fruit have been falling within a range of $10 -$17/tray. There have been some class one and second bulks on the market this week with prices ranging $10-$20.
We are supplying Hass grown in the SE corner of Qld from the region of Blackbutt. Temperatures in this region have been a touch warmer this week with overnight/early morning temps ranging 5-12.6C and daytimes warming up to 15-22C whilst rain has continued its presence this week with a total of 18-24mm across the region. This has made it interesting in relation to harvesting and transferring of fruit to the pack shed between wet periods. Our Packing team are working hard to ensure fruit quality is within specification each week - we have been finding a slightly higher presence of nodule damage this week, with the more heavily marked pieces being removed from the packs to ensure fruit is in spec. Main fruit sizing continues to fall within Ct 20-23. 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 five or so weeks.
Hass Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 7 to 15 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 $1.50ea depending upon store location, whilst Woolworths had Central Qld grown Hass selling at $1.40/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.
RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS
Below: Coles Carindale, Coles Local Hamilton, Coles Mt Gravatt East and Garden City Displays
Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at $1.50ea. Fruit was well presented - all 7-14 days old and just yielding to ready to eat and quite soft with respects to maturity. Main lines of fruit found were from Simpson Farms and Costa’s.
5pks selling for $4.90ea on special and 1kg prepacks at $6.90ea
Below: Aldi Carindale; Mt Gravatt East and Garden City Displays
Avorama packed Tree 2 Me Hass in counts 23/25 loose @ $1.69 each.
Fruit age ranging 6 to 15 days.
5 piece Hass nets and 1kg market packs at $5.99ea.
Below: Woolworths Carindale, Doomben; Mt Gravatt Central and Garden City Displays
Stores had Simpson Farms(Tinaroo Falls) and Team Avocado NZ Hass avocados at $1.40 each. All avocados 8-14 days old - some fruit is yielding to gentle pressure, some ready to eat and a lesser percentage still very firm.
1kg packs priced at $6.90ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea.
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
National transport figures for last week were 437,500 cartons. Spring might be here by the calendar, bur we are still having some cool starts to the day on farms. In this last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures ranged 11.8 - 21.4 C across the growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were considerably warmer ranging 23.6 to 29.6C -as the days gradually lengthen and the barometer starts to climb we will see fruit growth rates also speeding up. In terms of rainfall, Mareeba, Tully and Innisfail received in the vicinity of 30-40mm each across the week, whilst the other major growing regions received much lighter falls of 2 to 4mm. Cavendish banana bunch age is currently at 17-18 weeks with this expected to be back to 16-17 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 $2.99 to $3.99/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 continue to reflect the impact of cold growth periods throughout winter with sub 10C temperatures experienced both on the Tablelands and along the coast with less bright and dull bloomed fruit present in varying degrees. There was a presence of minor dry scar; minor neck damage; small rub marks and sap staining. Some odd clusters found with split peel. 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 to $4.00/kg in all three stores frequented and Coles offered fruit at $3.50 to 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 Carindale, Coles Local Hamilton and Garden City Displays
Cavendish was priced at $3.50-4.50/kg dependent upon store location. Kids packs at $3.50-4.50ea.
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 Carindale and Garden City Displays
Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg- there was a small presence of some green fruit, light bruising/skin marking and neck damage. Also noted most lines had dull appearance, odd cluster found with split peels.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.
Below: Woolworths Carindale, Doomben and Garden City 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 .
Lady fingers were priced at $7.00/kg, Red tips were priced at $5.50/kg and Organic Clusters $6.00/kg
