QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

Week 8, 2023 - A total of just 341,100 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 4.1% decrease ( approx. 14,000 fewer trays) on Week 7, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 222,000 trays of this volume were new season Shepard avos and so it is of no surprise that we saw North Qld maintain the lead in production at 83.68% of the total volume; followed by WA at 13.47% contributing Hass; and the balance of approx 2.8% coming from Central NSW and Tristate also contributing Hass. The despatch from North Qld has been adversely affected by the continued wet weather this week and this is forecast to be a continuing factor next week. Please note there was no imported fruit from New Zealand this week.

· It is forecast that a total of 366K trays will be despatched this week nationally - though these figures were set prior to the inclement weather we have been experiencing in the North. The Shepard forecast for the next two to three weeks is for supplies to be strengthening with volumes of approximately 298K to 360K trays per week expected, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 350K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure sits at 375,146 trays. The weather in far north Queensland from whence the bulk of 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 $2.00 to $2.49ea. Market pricing in the three eastern seaboard locations has also come back with prices ranging $20-$26/tray for premium fruit and $14-$20/tray for class one. WA Hass supply continues to trickle through with the last of supplies hitting southern markets this week. Market pricing for Shepard bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $6.00-$25.00/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. Found a presence of antracnose and body rots, bruising amongst a few lines as noted below.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld had NQ Shepard only selling at $2.49ea (featured in their weekly catalogue); Coles Qld had new season Shepards ticketed at $2.00ea, and Woolworths had NQ Shepards selling at $2.00/piece. 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 also 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, Carindale and Indooroopilly

Coles stores had Shepard avocados in Count 23-25 priced at $2.00ea. Fruit was well presented with packed dates of 14th to 16th Feb meaning fruit was 13 to 15 days old. Growers included Greenskins; Howe Farming; Rock Ridge; Cadorin and fruit packed by Massasso’s (Delroy Supply). Majority of fruit was of good quality though there was a presence of bruising and odd pieces with evidence of shrivelling /dehyrated particularly as found on the table top displays which tended to be 3-4 pieces deep - bottom layer compromised.
5 piece prepacks on special priced at $6.90ea and Ikg I’m Perfects at $8.90/pack - note the new packaging wrap that is now in use which is recyclable.

Below: Aldi Displays from Garden City, Carindale and Indooroopilly

Greenskin Shepard in counts 25 loose @ $2.49 each - some nodule damage and skin scarring present. Note one store had failed to update shelf price ticket. Indooroopilly store had no stock of loose.
Shepard Avos were a feature in the Aldi Catalogue this week.
5 piece packs priced at $6.99ea and 1kg packs at $7.49ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Garden City, Carindale and Indooroopilly

Stores had Count 20; 23 and 25 Greenskin Shepard avocados at $2.00 each. All avocados packed 15th Feb so age is therefore 14 days old. Did find a few pieces with antracnose; rots and bruising throughout the displays.
1kg Odd Bunch packs at $6.30ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week (Wk 8/2023) of some 384,800 cartons saw a further declined by 15% (some 72,500 ctns less than previous week). Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 19.5 - 23.8 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 25.6 to 31C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions continue to be impacted by rainfall. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received in the vicinity of 14-15mm each across the week, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 228 to 272mm 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 (except two stores with random dull clusters) with a light presence of minor dry scar; small rub marks; neck injury and sap staining.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas was uniform this week with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $3.50/kg in stores frequented and Coles were also offering fruit at $3.50/kg in locations visited. Fruit was presented neatly on assigned displays, there was a presence of some minor rub and skin scarring as noted above.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Garden City, Carindale and Indooroopilly

Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg depending upon store location and Kids packs were also at $3.50ea.

Quality across stores varied with some clusters having minor skin marking. Bloom was generally bright but one store had a few clusters that were very dull which suggests it has been held at too cold a temperature somewhere in the system.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg. Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Organics at $5.50/kg.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Carindale and Indooroopilly

Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg, there was a presence of light skin marking, rub marking, neck injury- good bloom generally.
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, Carindale and Indooroopilly

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.00. A light degree of marking but across the board the stores visited had neatly presented displays.
Lady fingers were on special priced at $6.00/kg, Red tips were priced at $5.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5.50/kg and Mini bananas at $3.00/cluster pack.