QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 41 - A total of just 333,078 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 1% decrease ( approx. 4,000 fewer trays) on Week 40, 2022 production. This week we saw WA’s lead climb to 28.1% of the total volume; followed by Tristate at 26.5%; Central NSW at 18.8%, New Zealand at 13.8%; and South Qld at 11.5% of the overall total. The remaining 1.3% is made up of contributions from Tamborine, Sunshine Coast and Northern Rivers.

· It is forecast that a total of 394K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two to three weeks is for supplies to be strengthening with volumes of approximately 370K to 400K trays per week expected. The current four week average dispatch figures continues to fall below 400K at 319,148 trays.

Major supermarkets differed in the way they approached the avocado ticket price this week with offers on pricing for premium Hass ticketed at $1.69 to $2.00ea. Market pricing in Brisbane and Sydney has continued to firm, which is great news for growers, prices range $24-$34 with main sales $28-$32 ( the odd $36/tray fore real glamour fruit). In Victoria, the increased supply of quality WA fruit has seen pricing of $30-$36/tray for premium fruit; $26-$30 on other Australian grown hass. Prices for class one fruit have been falling within a range of $14 -$22/tray. There have been some class one and second bulks on the market this week with prices ranging $10-$24.

Our growers from SW NSW, more specifically in the region of Barham are also working hard to ensure specifications - supplies are expected for another two weeks, dependent upon the weather. We are also pleased to announce that Avonova in WA are harvesting and packing again, with the first of their fruit to hit shelves from 24th October - we expect a slow start to their season as numbers are lighter this year but quality is definitely looking good.

Avocado display presentation in Qld/WA stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 7 to 33 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible, with NZ sourced fruit being 22 to 33 days. This week we saw New Zealand fruit as a component of the offering in all three of the major supermarkets in Brisbane.

Paul had a trip to WA this week to catch up with growers, so we have a glimpse in the Perth retail landscape this week as well. In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - the offer was very similar to last week : Aldi Qld had NZ Hass selling this week at a ticket price of $1.69ea in store as did Aldi Perth; Coles Qld had Australian and NZ Hass ticketed at $1.80ea depending upon store location, whilst Woolworths had both Central Qld grown Hass and NZ Hass selling at $1.80 to $2.00/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 Displays from Browns Plains, Loganholme and a store in Perth

Coles stores had Hass avocados priced at $1.80ea. Fruit was well presented - all 7-14 days old and just yielding to ready to eat and quite soft with respects to maturity.
5pks selling for $7.90ea.

Below: Aldi Displays from Browns Plains, Loganholme and a store in Perth

Hass in counts 23/25 loose @ $1.49 - $1.69 each.
Fruit age ranging 6 to 15 days.
5 piece Hass nets at $6.49ea and 1kg market packs at $5.79ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Browns Plains, Loganholme and a store in Perth

Stores had Hass avocados at $1.80 each. All avocados 13-21 days old - some fruit is yielding to gentle pressure, some ready to eat and a lesser percentage still very firm.
1kg packs priced at $6.30ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week declined by a further 4% to 445,605 cartons (some 20,000 ctns less than last week). Over the last week in the far north, slightly cooler early A.M. temperatures ranged 16 - 22 C across the growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were considerably warmer ranging 29 to 31.7C -as the days gradually lengthen and the barometer starts to climb we will see fruit growth rates comparatively increase. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions were relatively dry with just the odd light shower in Tully and Innisfail contributing 0.4 and 4.6mm to the annual rainfall records. Cavendish banana bunch age is currently at 16 weeks with this expected to be back to 15-16 weeks by mid-November; as the weather continues to warm. We continue to see the presence of underpeel chill after previous winter growing periods of cold overnight and morning lows. We expect to see a lessening 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 $2.69 to $3.49/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $18-$33 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 fruit of less bright appearance present in varying degrees. There was a presence of minor dry scar; speckle; small rub marks and sap staining.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas was fairly uniform this week in comparison to the week prior with Aldi’s banana ticket price declined by $1/kg to $2.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $3.50/kg in stores frequented and Coles were offering fruit at $3.00/kg dependant upon location 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 Browns Plains, Loganholme and a store in Perth

Cavendish was priced at $3.00/kg and Kids packs at $3.00ea.
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 Browns Plains, Loganholme and a store in Perth

Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/kg- there was a presence of slightly green fruit, light skin marking and neck damage.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.49/kg, these were of similar quality in each store.

Below: Woolworths Browns Plains, Loganholme and a store in Perth

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/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