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WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

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WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS 〰️

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 50, 2023 - The industry saw a 1.43% decrease on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 566,289 tray equivalents harvested and transported (approx 10,000 more tray equivalents) on Week 49, 2023 production. Hass variety supplying 551,958 tray equivalents harvested in addition to 14,331 trays of assorted other varieties also in this week’s reported figures. It is important to note that there were almost 48,000 tray equivalents of this total production that were exported and 120,000 tray equivalents that were despatched as bulks/Processing (smaller sizes/class one or seconds) which leaves a total of some 399,000 trays for the domestic market.

Western Australia continues to lead production with 87.83% of the total volume this week, then NZ with 4.89%, Tristate 4.42% and Central NSW with 2.80%. The weather over the last week in and around Manjimup and Pemberton has been relatively dry with early morning minimum temperatures ranging 9.8 to 14.7C; heating up during the day to a maximum range of 25.5 to 32.2C. December has been a dry month, only in the last couple of days has the region seen isolated showers of up to 1mm - this has been conducive to good avocado weather but placing importance on regular irrigation. Quite the opposite in far North Queensland with the significant rain event associated with Ex-Cyclone Jasper has potential ramifications on the 2024 North Queensland shepard avocado crop - this is basically a watch and wait situation, as we monitor tree health in any low lying regions that were inundated with flood waters. With reference to this last point, Rock Ridge Farms planned geographical spread, sees us positioned in a much better situation than others.

· It is forecast that a total of 526K hass tray equivalents will be despatched this week (Week 51) nationally. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two weeks thereafter are expected to range between 330K and 500K tray equivalents per week.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld Hass at 99c each ; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.20ea, 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 Carindale, Loganholme and Indooroopilly

Coles stores had multiple suppliers of Hass Avocados in sizes 20/23 at $1.20ea. Pack dates ranging 1st December to 7th December so fruit age ranging 13 to 19 days.
1kg I’m Perfect at $4.50ea and 5 piece packs at $5.00ea.
Organic at $3.90ea.

Below: Aldi Displays from Carindale, Loganholme and Indooroopilly

Hass @ 99c each all Ct23/25. Pack dates 6th December to 13th December so fruit age ranging 7 to 14 days.
1kg Avocado nets at $3.99ea.
5 piece packs priced at $4.49ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Carindale, Loganholme and Indooroopilly

Stores stocked Count 23/25 Hass, priced at $1.20ea. Pack dates ranging 30th November to 4th December so fruit age is 16 to 20 days old.
Prepacks ranged from $4.50-5.00ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national harvest figures for last week have not been released as yet with the impact of Ex- Tropical Cyclone Jasper in terms of rainfall, subsequent flooding, road closures and diverted routes this has impacted the volume of fruit that has been able to get away. Whilst the rain has eased and the flooding has subsided in some areas; the impact is still being felt. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 17.9 - 24.4 C across all major growing regions and day time temperatures have remained warmer ranging 25.7 - 31.0 C. There was a significant increase in terms of the rainfall experienced due to the tropical low in the region resulting in falls of 481.8 - 600.1mm across Mareeba and Walkamin; and falls across Innisfail and Tully within 545.6 - 548.6mm. There are a number of major roads, including the Palmerston Hwy, that suffered significant damage as a result of the sheer volume of water in the region which are not expected to be repaired for at least a month.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on cavendish bananas was as follows: Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.00-4.50/kg; and Coles were offering fruit at $4.00/kg. Banana quality in stores varied, most better bloom than last week with only minimal bruising and light scarring.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Carindale, Loganholme and Indooroopilly

Cavendish were priced at $4.00-4.50/kg and Kids packs were at $4.00-4.50ea.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg, Red Tips at $4.50/kg. Organic at $6.00ea.

Below: Aldi Carindale, Loganholme and Indooroopilly

Stores had Cavendish @ $3.99/kg - good bloom.

Lady Fingers priced at $5.49/kg.

Below: Woolworths Carindale, Loganholme and Indooroopilly

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00-4.50/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.