QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 16, 2023 - The industry saw a tremendous increase of 62% on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 533,166 trays harvested and transported ( approx. 204,046 more trays) on Week 15, 2023 production - There were some 226,146 trays/other pack formats of Shepards harvested this week which means that the new season Hass avos have now taken the lead in terms of varietal production with a total 301,122 trays/other packing formats harvested last week. North Qld maintains the lead in overall production at 71.94% of the total volume; Central Qld contributing 26.59% of the volume followed by a combined effort of Central NSW and Tri-sate contributing the remaining 1.47% (Hass).

· It is forecast that a total of 428K trays will be despatched this week nationally. Whilst there will still be a few Shepard avocados around for another two weeks our shift now changes to the Hass variety. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two to three weeks will fall between 400 and 450K per week, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 470K to 500K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure has increased and now sits at 428,633 trays.

Ticket pricing of avocados this week was quite stable with pricing ranging $1.99 to $2.50 per piece at most retail outlets. Major supermarkets this week, also had competitive offers for premium Shepard in Qld - ticketed at $1.90 to $2.00ea. Market pricing for Shepard and Hass bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $10.00-$30.00/ctn - these bulks are being used to make prepacks and to serve the food service industry primarily. Most second grade fruit is being used in processing. All lines have come back in price as can be expected with the increase in volume hitting all markets with premium trays selling 424-$30 main sales, top of $32 for glamour; class one fruit is generally selling in the low $20’s with no real change expected for next week.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally well done, some fruit in every store with slight bruising or marking. Fruit age ranged 12 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 $1.99ea in Aldi Super Savers; Coles Qld had Shepards ticketed at $2.00ea, and Woolworths had NQ Shepards selling at a competitive $1.90/ea. 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 Loganholme, Fairfield and Carindale

Coles stores had Shepard in Count 20-23 at $2.00ea. Fruit was well presented with age 8 to 16 days old.
1kg I’m Perfects at $6.90/pack. Organic Avocados at $4.20ea.

Below: Aldi Displays from Loganholme, Fairfield and Carindale

Greenskin Shepards in count 23s @ $1.99 each, featured in the Super Savers section.
5 piece packs priced at $6.49ea and 1kg packs at $5.99ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Loganholme, Buranda and Carindale

Stores had Count 20/25 Greenskin Shepard avocados at $1.90 each. Age is 8-14 days old.
Stores also stocked Purpleskin Hass, priced at $2.50ea.
1kg packs at $6.50ea. 5 piece packs at $8.20ea.
Also back on display was AvoFresh’s Guacamole for $5.50ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week (Wk 16/2023) of 451,464 cartons saw a 13.25% increase from the previous week with approximately an additional 60,000 cartons on week 15. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 18.0 - 23.2 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 25.5 to 29.3C, we are starting to see a cooling of temperatures with the season change. Rainfall this week has stayed consistent with Mareeba and Walkamin received between 1-4mm each, however quite a different story in Tully and Innisfail receiving a significant dump of 280 to 360mm across the week. The forecast for the next week is for the partly cloudy weather with the chance of showers across all of these regions which will tend to reduce growth rates.

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 good bloom with a light presence of 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 competitive ticket price of $3.00/kg at all three locations visited; and Coles were offering fruit slightly cheaper at $2.50/kg.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Loganholme, Fairfield and Carindale

Cavendish were priced at $2.50/kg and Kids packs were at $2.50ea.
Bloom was better this week, some fruit still having slight marking.
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.90/kg, Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Organic also at $5.50/kg.

Below: Aldi Loganholme, Fairfield and Carindale

Stores had Cavendish @ $2.99/kg, there was a presence of light skin marking and neck injury- but good bloom generally.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.

Below: Woolworths Loganholme, Buranda and Carindale

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50-3.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $2.50.
Lady fingers were priced at $7.00/kg, Red tips were priced at $4.50/kg and Organic Clusters at $4.50/kg - these were on special this week.
Cavendish across all stores had good bloom this week.