QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 12, 2023 - The industry saw a significant increase of 8.28% on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 478,581 trays harvested and transported ( approx. 36,613 more trays) on Week 11, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 325,109 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 76.78% of the total volume; Central Qld contributing 19.52% of the volume followed by a combined effort of WA/Central NSW and Trisate contributing the remaining 3.70% (Hass).

· It is forecast that a total of 394K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Shepard forecast for the next two to three weeks is for supplies will be gradually declining as this variety will give way to Hass - shepard volumes of approximately 360K to 290/300K trays per week expected, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 390000 down to 350,000 per week. The current four week average dispatch figure has increased and now sits at 397,231 trays. The weather in far north Queensland from whence the bulk of primary production is still currently being grown has been very warm during the days with a continuance of light showers. Fruit quality on farm is still very good with Shepard sizing averages falling between a Ct20 and a Ct23.

There were a little over 10,000 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 found at independent outlets ranged from $1.79 to $2.50 per piece at most retail outlets. Major supermarkets this week, offered very competitive offers for premium Shepard in Qld - ticketed at $1.99 to $2.00ea. Market pricing in the two eastern seaboard locations was steady with prices ranging $24-$36/tray (for exceptional quality up to $36/tray) for premium fruit and $18-$28/tray for class one. Market pricing for Shepard bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $10.00-$28.00/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.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld had NQ Shepard ticketed at $1.99ea; 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 $1.80-2.00ea 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 Browns Plains, Sunnybank and Garden City

Coles stores had Shepard avocados in Count 20-25 priced at $2.00ea. Fruit was well presented with age 8 to 16 days old. Growers included Howe Farming; Rock Ridge; Costa’s Lovacado. Odd piece supplied by Costa’s with anthracnose.
5 piece prepacks priced at $6.90ea and Ikg I’m Perfects at $6.90/pack.

Below: Aldi Displays from Browns Plains, Sunnybank and Garden City

Greenskin Shepard in counts 25 @ $1.99 each - some skin scarring present.
5 piece packs priced at $6.49ea and 1kg packs at $5.99ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Browns Plains, Sunnybank and Garden City

Stores had Count 20-25 Greenskin Shepard avocados at $1.80-2.00 each. Age is 8-14 days old.
Stores also commenced stocking Purpleskin Hass, priced at $2.50ea. Note some of this stock which was ripe, was spongy and did not present well.
1kg Odd Bunch packs at $6.00ea and 5 piece packs at $6.50ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 17.0 - 22.7 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 27.5 to 30.9C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions have received a similar amount to previous weeks. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received between 3-8mm each, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 50 to 53mm 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 $3.50/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 $3.50/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 Browns Plains, Sunnybank and Garden City

Cavendish were priced at $2.99-3.50/kg and Kids packs were at $3.00-3.50ea.

Quality across stores varied with some clusters having minor skin marking. Bloom was generally bright.
Lady Fingers were priced at $4.90/kg on special. Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Organic also at $5.50/kg.

Below: Aldi Browns Plains, Sunnybank and Garden City

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 as an Aldi Super Saver. No stock of these in any stores however.

Below: Woolworths Browns Plains, Sunnybank and Garden City

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.00.
Lady fingers were priced at $6.00-6.50/kg, Red tips were priced at $5.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5.50/kg.