QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 11, 2023 - The industry saw a significant increase of 44.97% on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 441,968 trays harvested and transported last week ( approx.137,000 more trays) on Week 10, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 314,000 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 82.75% of the total volume; Central Qld contributing 14.86% of the volume followed by a combined effort of WA/Central NSW and Trisate contributing the remaining 2.38% (Hass). The weather was definitely kinder this week, though not without a few showers, it definitely has eased with beautifully warm days.

· It is forecast that a total of 447K 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 348-400K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure has fallen and now sits at 362,860 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 falling between a Ct20 and a Ct23.

There were a little over 8,000 trays of Hass harvested last week and this figure is set to be rather steady in the lead up to Easter and then steadily increase.

Ticket pricing of avocados this week was clean at $1.79 to $2.50 per piece at most retail outlets. Major supermarkets this week, ll had very competitive offers for premium Shepard in Qld - ticketed at $1.79 to $2.00ea. Market pricing in the two eastern seaboard locations was steady with prices ranging $28-$32/tray (for exceptional quality up to $34/tray) for premium fruit and $15-$20/tray for class one. Market pricing for Shepard bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $6.00-$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 8 to 15 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible. A little minor scarring and nodule damage observed, but overall a pleasing display of quality from all stores.

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 $2.00ea, and Woolworths also had NQ Shepards selling at $2.00/ea in stores visited. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to just about ready to eat. Also noted in Coles stores, Autumn Hass which was ticketed at $1.80ea and were displayed alongside NQ Shepards. One Woolworths store also stocked Purpleskin Hass, priced at $2.50ea.

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

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Displays from Sunnybank Hills and Indooroopilly

Coles stores had Shepard avocados in Count 20-25 priced at $2.00ea and Autumn Hass priced at $1.80 per piece. Fruit was well presented with packed dates of 6th March to the 14th March meaning fruit was 8 to 16 days old. Growers included Howe Farming; Rock Ridge; Costa’s Lovacado; and Obie Farms.
Prepacks are on special this week with 5 piece prepacks priced at $6.90ea and Ikg I’m Perfects also at $6.90/pack.

Below: Aldi Displays from Sunnybank Hills and Indooroopilly

Greenskin Shepard in counts 23 @ $1.79 each - some skin scarring present.
5 piece packs priced at $6.49ea and 1kg packs at $5.99ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Sunnybank Hills and Indooroopilly

Stores had Count 20-25 Greenskin Shepard avocados at $2.00 each. Age is 8-14 days old.
Stores also stocked Purpleskin Hass, priced at $2.50ea.
1kg Odd Bunch packs at $6.00ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week (Wk 10/2023) of 441,142 cartons saw a significant 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 19.5 - 23.6 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 25.9 to 32.8C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions have received a good deal less rainfall than in previous weeks. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received between 2-6mm each, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 54 to 64mm across the week. The forecast for the next week is for the sunny weather with the chance of isolated showers across these regions.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.99 to $4.00/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 one location and $4.00/kg at the others. 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 Sunnybank Hills and Indooroopilly

Cavendish were priced at $3.50-4.00/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 $5.00/kg on special. Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Organic also at $5.50/kg.

Below: Aldi Sunnybank Hills and Indooroopilly

Stores had Cavendish @ $3.49/kg, there was a presence of light skin marking, rub marking, neck injury- good bloom generally with about half green fruit.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.79/kg. All Lady Fingers seemed to display significant bruising.

Below: Woolworths Sunnybank Hills and Indooroopilly

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.00.
Lady fingers were priced at $6.50/kg, Red tips were priced at $5.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5.50/kg.
An ‘update on bananas’ on display, detailing the reasoning behind semi-condition fruit may be due to poor weather conditions in growing regions.