QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 35, 2023 - The industry saw a 14.78% decrease on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 425,087 trays harvested and transported ( approx. 70,000 less trays) on Week 34, 2023 production. Hass variety supplying 421,390 trays harvested in addition to 3,697 trays of assorted other varieties also in this week’s reported figures. Western Australia still in the lead in terms of production with 31.87% of the total volume this week, then Tristate with 30.88%, Central NSW with 16.01%; followed by South Qld at 12.98%, Central QLD at 2.88%, and the balance coming from the a combination of Sunshine Coast/Tamborine/North Qld and Northern Rivers (5.38%).

· It is forecast that a total of 422K trays will be despatched this week nationally. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two to three weeks thereafter are expected to range between 390K and 440K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure now sits at 465,994 trays. The volume of small fruit on all markets continues to be heavy coming from SE Qld; NSW; Vic and the Tri-states regions - better money is being paid for fruit of larger size (16/18’s) but these seem to be scarce. Competition in the prepacks is fierce as retailers try to find a way to increase the value of their shoppers basket. With the volume of fruit currently available, retailers are focusing on quality; opting for the cleaner lines which are presenting well to entice their customers - this will no doubt be the case for the next few months. On a brighter note, with the weather fast warming up avocados will start to be featured in a wider variety of menus both on the home front and in cafes/restaurants.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld with $1.19ea on Hass; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.30ea, and Woolworths had Hass selling at $1.50ea.

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

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Displays from Fairfield, Chermside and Indooroopilly

Coles stores had multiple growers Hass Avocados at $1.30ea.
1kg I’m Perfect at $4.50ea and 5 piece packs at $3.84/pack. Organic avocados priced at $3.90ea.
Overall good condition, some fruit with bruising but overall good colour and presentation.

Below: Aldi Displays from Fairfield, Chermside and Indooroopilly

Hass @ $1.19 each.
1kg Avocado nets at $3.99ea.
5 piece packs priced at $3.99ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Yerongpilly, Chermside and Indooroopilly

Stores stocked Hass, priced at $1.50ea depending on store location.
5 piece prepacks at $5.00ea. 1kg prepacks priced at $4.00ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Week 35 saw a total despatch of 415,715 cartons which was a further increase of approximately 22,000 on Week 34 production. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 10.3 - 15.3 C across all major growing regions and day time temperatures have remained warmer ranging 25.5 - 29.3 C. Minimal rain fell across the entire North Qld growing regions this week with Mareeba and Walkamin receiving 0mm; and falls across Innisfail and Tully with 0-0.4mm for the week!

Cavendish this week were found to have relatively good bloom and an overall good appearance. A few minor defects noted including rub marking, minor bruising and neck damage.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas remained relatively unchanged since last week and relatively uniform across the three chains as follows: Aldi’s banana ticket price at $4.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a competitive ticket price of $4.50/kg; and Coles were offering fruit also competitively at $4.00/kg.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Fairfield, Chermside and Indooroopilly

Cavendish were priced at $4.00/kg and Kids packs were at $4.00ea.
The majority of fruit had good bloom. Some clusters had rub marking and 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 Fairfield, Chermside and Indooroopilly

Stores had Cavendish @ $4.49/kg.

Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg.

Below: Woolworths Yerongpilly, Chermside and Indooroopilly

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $2.50.
Lady fingers were priced at $8.00/kg, Red tips were priced at $5.50/kg and Organic Clusters at $6.00/kg.