QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 31, 2023 - The industry saw a 20.96% increase on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 431,996 trays harvested and transported ( approx. 70,000 more trays) on Week 30, 2023 production. Hass variety supplying 427,791 trays harvested in addition to 4,205 trays of assorted other varieties also in this week’s reported figures. Central Qld is still in the lead with 39.93% of the total volume; South Qld has lifted this week contributing 17.66% of the volume followed by WA (13.72%), Central NSW (11.59%), and the balance coming from the a combination of Sunshine Coast/Tamborine/North Qld and Northern Rivers (5.22%).

· It is forecast that a total of 418K trays will be despatched this week nationally. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two to three weeks thereafter are expected to range between 410K and 430K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure now sits at 442,288 trays.

Whilst the NQ avocado season has ended and the Central Qld season is expected to draw to a close at the end of this month it means that the window of opportunity is quickly closing as more growers in the Tristates, Victorian and WA regions are now commencing their harvests. We envisage that there will be a decline in pricing in the coming weeks as the volumes increase. There are already plentiful supplies of smaller fruit in the class one arena which is seeing pricing weaken and why there are a number of specials on prepack lines currently.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld back to the usual Hass at $1.49ea; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.50ea, and Woolworths had Hass selling at $1.20ea.

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

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Displays from Garden City, Carindale and Springwood

Coles stores had Lava Valley (Murray Bros), Cherry Creek/Organic Bros (Rockridge) and Simpsons/ Avolution Hass Avocados at $1.50ea.
1kg I’m Perfect at $4.80ea and 5 piece packs on special at $5.00/pack.
Overall good condition, some fruit with bruising but overall good colour and presentation.
Organic variety of avocados also on display for $5.00ea.

Below: Aldi Displays from Garden City, Carindale and Springwood

Simpson/Avolution Hass Ct 25’s @ $1.49 each, packed 24th July making stock 16 days old.
Aldi Super Savers this week were their 1kg Avocado nets.
5 piece packs priced at $4.99ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Garden City, Carindale and Springwood

Stores stocked Purpleskin and Simpson Hass in counts 16-20, on special, priced at $1.20ea.
5 piece prepacks at $6.50ea. 1kg prepacks priced at $4.80ea on special.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Week 31 saw a total despatch of some 381,000 cartons bananas which was a 5.9% decline on the previous week. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 12.0 - 18.8 C across all major growing regions, not much change here and day time temperatures have remained warmer ranging 20.5 - 24.5 C. Rain has been extensive again in coastal regions much lighter on the Tablelands with Mareeba and Walkamin receiving 4.6mm and 14.2mm respectively; but significant falls experienced and continuing in Innisfail and Tully receiving 85.8 - 99.6mm across the week! Rainfall of this nature continues to impact harvesting and also negative impacts upon tasks such as fertilising; spraying; de-leafing; weeding etc.

Cavendish presented this week with relatively good bloom. Less bruising than previous weeks but more green fruit on display.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas remained unchanged on last week and relatively uniform across the three chains as follows: Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a competitive ticket price of $4.00/kg; and Coles were offering fruit also competitively at $4.00-4.50/kg depending on store location.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Garden City, Carindale and Springwood

Cavendish were priced at $4.00-4.50/kg and Kids packs were at $4.00-4.50ea.
The majority of fruit had good bloom. Some clusters green and with slight bruising.
Lady Fingers were priced at $8.00/kg, Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Organic variety priced at $6.00/kg.

Below: Aldi Garden City, Carindale and Springwood

Stores had Cavendish @ $3.99/kg.

Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg. This variety needed restocking in some stores.

Below: Woolworths Garden City, Carindale and Springwood

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.50.
Lady fingers were priced at $8.00/kg, Red tips were priced at $5.50/kg and Organic Clusters at $6.00/kg.