QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

Week 10, 2023 - A total of just 304,879 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 16.13% decrease ( approx.58,600 less trays) on Week 9, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 294,000 trays of this volume were new season Shepard avos and so it is of no surprise that we saw North Qld maintain lead production at 79.55% of the total volume; Central Qld contributing 17.89% of the volume followed by a combined effort of WA/Central NSW and Trisate contributing the remaining 2.6% (Hass). The despatch from North Qld has continued to be impacted by the continued wet weather this week. Whilst there has been some reprieve in total rainfall, however showers are forecast to continue this week.

· It is forecast that a total of 349K 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 330K to 360K trays per week expected, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 348-380K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure has fallen and now sits at 341,339 trays. The weather in far north Queensland from whence the bulk of primary production is currently being grown has been very warm during the days with a continuance of light showers. Fruit quality on farm is very good though sizing averages in comparison to the 2022 crop is down from a Ct 16 to Ct20/23.

Ticket pricing of avocados this week was much sharper with pricing falling for the first time this season to under $2 per piece at most retail outlets. Major supermarkets this week, surprisingly all had very similar offers for premium Shepard in Qld - ticketed at $1.79 to $2.00ea. Market pricing in the three eastern seaboard locations was steady with prices ranging $24-$32/tray (exceptional fruit is pulling $34) for premium fruit and $16-$20/tray for class one. Market pricing for Shepard bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $5.00-$30.00/ctn. Some Independent retailers, continue to offer large sized premium fruit 2/$4 and 2/$5.00.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 9 to 15 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible. A little minor scarring and nodule damage observed, occasional bruising and would to the skin also seen.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld had NQ Shepard ticketed at $1.79ea; Coles Qld had new season Shepards ticketed at $1.80ea $2.00ea, and Woolworths also had NQ Shepards selling at $1.80/ea instores visited. 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. Also noted in Coles stores this week, were the re-introduction of the Autumn Hass which was ticketed at the same price as the Shepards and displayed alongside on the end display units.

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

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Displays from Mt Gravatt East, Garden City and Sunnybank

Coles stores had Shepard avocados in Count 20-25 priced at $1.80-2.00ea. Fruit was well presented with packed dates of 28th Feb to 1st March meaning fruit was 14 to 15 days old. Growers included Greenskins; Howe Farming; Rock Ridge; Cadorin (supplied by Murray Bros).
5 piece prepacks on special priced at $5.90ea and Ikg I’m Perfects at $6.90/pack.

Below: Aldi Displays from Mt Gravatt East, Garden City and Acacia Ridge

Greenskin Shepard in counts 25 loose @ $1.79 each - some nodule damage and skin scarring present.
5 piece packs priced at $6.49ea and 1kg packs at $5.79ea.
Shepard Avocados featured in this weeks catalogue!!

Below: Woolworths Displays from Mt Gravatt East, Garden City and Acacia Ridge

Stores had Count 23 and 28 Greenskin Shepard avocados at $1.80-2.00 each. All avocados packed 28th Feb or 6th March so age is therefore 9-14 days old.
1kg Odd Bunch packs at $5.90ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week (Wk 10/2023) of some 441,149 cartons saw a slight increase of 23.4% (some 83,917 ctns more than previous week). Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 18.4 - 24.2 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 29.5 to 33.1C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions continue to be impacted by rainfall., though much lighter falls than the previous three weeks. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received in the vicinity of 19-23mm each across the week, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received a reprieve of only 12.8 to 22.2mm across the week. The forecast for the next week is for the occurrence of light showers across the regions.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.49 to $3.99/kg this week. The markets have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand.

The presentation of Cavendish presented this week continues to have bright bloom (odd appearance of a few dull clusters which appear to be temperature related during the supply chain) with a light presence of minor dry scar; small rub marks; and neck injuries.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas exhibited minimal change from last week with Aldi’s banana ticket price at what seems like a standard $3.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.00/kg at all three locations visited; whilst Coles were offering fruit at $3.50/kg at all 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 Mt Gravatt East, Toowoomba and Sunnybank

Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg and Kids packs were at $3.50-4.00ea.

Quality across stores varied with some clusters having minor skin marking. Bloom was generally bright.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.90/kg on special. Red Tips at $5.50/kg.

Below: Aldi Mt Gravatt East, Toowoomba and Acacia Ridge

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.

Below: Woolworths Mt Gravatt East, Toowoomba and Acacia Ridge

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.00.
Lady fingers were priced at $6.00/kg, Red tips were priced at $5.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5.50/kg.