QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 7, 2023 - A total of just 355,883 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 13% decrease ( approx. 54,000 fewer trays) on Week 6, 2023 production. Of the total, just shy of 278,000 trays of this volume were new season Shepard avos and so it is of no surprise that we saw North Qld climb to 82.4% of the production total volume; followed by WA at 15.2% contributing Hass; Tristate at 1.4%, and the balance of approx 1% coming from Central NSW and NZ also contributing Hass.

· It is forecast that a total of 392K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Shepard forecast for the next two to three weeks is for supplies to be strengthening with volumes of approximately 350K to 370K trays per week expected, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 420K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure sits at 383,977 trays. The weather over recent weeks in far north Queensland from whence the primary production is currently being grown has been rather relentless in terms of rainfall - this obviously has an impact on our ability to harvest and puts more pressure on the packing crews to ensure that the fruit is handled with extra care as it tends to be more prone to lenticel damage.

We saw a slight softening of the retail ticket price of avocados by major supermarkets this week with offers on pricing for premium Shepard in Qld ticketed at $2.50 to $2.79ea. Market pricing in the three eastern seaboard locations has also come back with prices ranging $20-$25/tray for premium fruit and $14-$18/tray for class one. WA Hass supply should come to an end at the close of this week. Market pricing for Shepard bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $6.00-$30.00/ctn.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 8 to 14 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible. A little nodule/lenticel damage present on some lines which is not surprising considering the amount of rain the far North has been experiencing.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld had NQ Shepard only selling at $2.79ea; Coles Qld had new season Shepards ticketed at $2.50ea, and Woolworths had NQ Shepards selling at $2.50 to $2.70/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. You will see in a couple of the store display shots that Greenskins have an additional sticker on the fruit that simply states “Eat Now” - this is a part of the Woolworths ripe programme - fruit has been ripened so that it is ready to eat for customers. It was great to see in Woolworths stores, new Shepard season header cards to highlight the variety’s return to customers.

For this weeks sales pricing please see the info below….

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Displays from Garden City, North Toowoomba and Smithfield

Coles stores had Shepard avocados in Count 20-23 priced at $2.50ea. Fruit was well presented with packed dates of 8th to 10th Feb meaning fruit was 12 to 14 days old. Growers included Greenskins; Howe Farming; Delais
5 piece prepacks priced at $7.90ea and Ikg Im Perfects at $8.90/pack - note the new packaging wrap that is now in use which is recyclable.

Below: Aldi Displays from Garden City, Acacia Ridge and North Toowoomba

Greenskin Shepard in counts 25 loose @ $2.79 each - some nodule damage and skin scarring present.
Fruit packed 7th and 8th Feb so fruit age ranging 14 to 15 days.
5 piece packs priced at $7.99ea and 1kg packs at $7.49ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Garden City, North Toowoomba and Moorooka

POS header cards with “Shepard avocados are back in Season” announcement present. Stores had Count 23; 25 and 28 Shepard avocados at $2.50 each. NB one store had the wrong price point on shelf card as being $2.70ea. All avocados 8- 14 days old
1kg Odd Bunch packs at $7.00ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week (Wk 7/2023) declined by 4% to 457,445 cartons (some 19,000 ctns less than previous week). Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 19 - 23.7 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 24.3 to 30.3C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions continue to be impacted by rainfall. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received between 67 and 81mm across the week, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 198.6 to 308mm across the week - the continuance of rain and cloudy skies (despite being warm) have an impact on harvesting and on fruit growth rates.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.69 to $3.49/kg this week. The markets have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand.

The presentation of Cavendish presented this week had good bright bloom with a light 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 at $3.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.00/kg in stores frequented and Coles were offering fruit at $2.99 to $4.00/kg dependant upon location visited. Fruit was presented neatly on assigned displays, there was a presence of some minor rub and skin scarring.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Garden City, North Toowoomba and Smithfield

Cavendish was priced at $2.99 to $4.00/kg depending upon store location and Kids packs at $3.50ea.

Quality across stores varied with some clusters having minor skin marking. Bloom was bright.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg. Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Organics at $5.50/kg.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Acacia Ridge and Toowoomba

Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg, there was a presence of light skin marking - good bloom.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg, these were of similar quality in each store - some clusters bruised, also rub marking present.

Below: Woolworths Garden City, North Toowoomba and Moorooka

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.00.
Lady fingers were on special priced at $6.50/kg, Red tips were priced at $5.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5.50/kg and Mini bananas at $3.00/cluster pack.