QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 14, 2023 - The industry saw a decrease of 27.91% on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 359,438 trays harvested and transported ( approx. 139,182 less trays) on Week 13, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 229,473 trays of this volume were Shepard avos and the balance being a mix of new season Hass from North Qld and Central Qld as well as hass from other regions. We saw North Qld maintain lead production at 74.84% of the total volume; Central Qld contributing 21.14% of the volume followed by a combined effort of Central NSW and Trisate contributing the remaining 4.02% (Hass).

· It is forecast that a total of 329K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Shepard forecast continues to decline as we see Hass numbers steadily increasing. Shepard forecasts for the next two to three weeks is for supplies to fall from 229K down to around 60K trays whilst Hass will strengthen with volumes of approximately 43K trays this week with harvests increasing to approx 250K trays for the last week of April. The current four week average dispatch figure has increased and now sits at 443,199 trays.

Ticket pricing of avocados this week was clean at $1.79 to $1.80 per piece at most retail outlets. The promotional activity of all the Major supermarkets of last week have continued this week with Shepards in Qld - continuing their ticket price at $1.79 to $1.80ea. Market pricing in the two eastern seaboard locations was steady with prices ranging $24-$36/tray (for exceptional quality up to $38/tray in the southern states) 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-$30.00/ctn. Some Independent retailers, continue to offer large sized premium fruit $2.50ea and 3/$5.00.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 10 to 15 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible.

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 Shepards ticketed at $1.80ea, and Woolworths also had NQ Shepards selling at $1.80/ea in stores visited. Also noted in Coles stores, Autumn Hass which was ticketed at $1.80ea with these displayed alongside NQ Shepards. Woolworths stores 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 Coorparoo, Mt Ommaney and Carindale

Coles stores had Shepard and Autumn avocados in Count 23-25 priced at $1.80ea on special. Packed dates of 28-30th March and 1st April. Fruit was well presented with age 11 to 15 days old. Growers included Howe Farming (odd rot found); and Rock Ridge ( little nodule damaged observed).
5 piece prepacks priced at $5.00ea and Ikg I’m Perfects at $6.90/pack.

Below: Aldi Displays from Coorparoo, Mt Ommaney and Carindale

Predominantly Greenskin Shepards in count 25s @ $1.79 each as Aldi Super Savers. Packed date 30th March so fruit age 13 days.
5 piece packs priced at $6.99ea and 1kg packs at $6.49ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Coorparoo, Mt Ommaney and Carindale

Whilst presentation was very good in these Stores had Count 23/25 Greenskin Shepard avocados at $1.80 each on special. Oldest Packed dates 27th and 28th March so age ranged 8-16 days old. Did find a number of pieces with rots, skin marking or evidence of breakdown in these displays as you will see in the shots captured.
Stores also stocked Purpleskin Hass (some size 14-18s), priced at $2.50ea.
5 piece packs at $8.20ea. 1kg packs at $6.50ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 18.4 - 25.1 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 30.0 to 34.6C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions have received a similar amount to previous weeks. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received between 17-57mm each, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 0 to 0.2mm 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 $3.00/kg this week. The markets have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand.

The presentation of Cavendish presented this week continues to have decent bloom with a light presence of minor dry scar; small rub marks; and some minor 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 $2.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $3.00/kg at all three locations visited; and Coles were offering fruit at $3.00-$3.50/kg. Fruit was presented well with only minimal rub and skin scarring as noted above.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Coorparoo, Mt Ommaney and Carindale

Cavendish were priced at $3.00-3.50/kg and Kids packs were at $3.00ea.
Bloom was slightly dull this week, with most fruit having slight marking.
Lady Fingers were priced at $4.90/kg on special. Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Organic also at $5.50/kg.

Below: Aldi Coorparoo, Mt Ommaney and Carindale

Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/kg, there was a presence of light skin marking, rub marking, neck injury- but good bloom generally.
Lady Fingers were priced at $4.99/kg.

Below: Woolworths Coorparoo, Mt Ommaney and Carindale

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.00.
Lady fingers were priced at $5.00/kg, Red tips were priced at $5.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5.50/kg.
Cavendish across all stores had good bloom this week.