QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

🥑SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 34, 2024 - The industry saw a massive 32.16% increase on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 391,287 tray equivalents harvested and transported (approx 130,000 more tray equivalents) on Week 33, 2024 production. When we look at this total in a little more detail we see that approximately 82K tray equivalents were in the form of bulks for prepacking/processing; 20K were exported leaving some 289K tray equivalents for domestic sale.

Production across the country saw Central Queensland lead the production table accounting for 25.31% of the total volume, WA/NT accounting for a further 18.78%, followed by Central NSW accounting for 17.19%, Southern Queensland with 11.73% and finally Tristate, North Queensland and NZ with harvests accounting for 11.28%; 10.36% and 4.68% respectively of the total production for the week.

· It is forecast that a total of some 381,000 tray equivalents will be despatched this week (Week 35) nationally, with the majority of this obviously being hass - which means a similar quantity is expected for domestic supply to last week. Production for the next three week period thereafter, is expected to fall within the range of 320 to 340K tray equivalents per week meaning pressure will still be on supply and pricing is expected to further strengthen within the central market place. In the market this week, Premium fruit is selling for between $38-$42/tray depending upon size; class ones $30-$35 depending upon size and bulks for quality small and mediums $40-$50/carton.

In terms of Avocado retailing in the major supermarkets in Qld this week we saw shelf prices as follows - Aldi’s Hass this week shelf tickets at $2.19 each; Coles Qld stores visited had Hass avos at $2.90ea, and Woolworths Qld with Hass at $2.20ea.

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Displays from Browns Plains and Indooroopilly

Coles stores had Hass on display in size 20-23 at $2.90ea supplied by Rockridge; Cherry Creek and Costa.
5 piece packs at $7.50ea and 1kg packs at $6.90ea. Organic avocados at $3.80ea.

Below: Aldi Displays from Browns Plains and Indooroopilly

Hass @ $2.19ea all Ct23/25. Fruit packed 17th August meaning fruit age from date of pack is 11 days.
1kg Avocado nets at $6.79ea and 5 piece packs at $7.29ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Browns Plains and Indooroopilly

Hass avos in Ct20/23/25 were retailing at $2.20. Fruit packed 22nd August meaning fruit is 6 days old.
Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $6.90ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

🍌SUPPLY UPDATE

A good increase on national banana harvest figures for Week 34 with a total of just over 437,000 cartons distributed which is an increase of some 61,500 cartons on Week 33 or a 16.3% increase. Weather patterns in the major growing regions are continuing to warm and quickly at that! Temperatures in the far north have seen early A.M. temperatures fall within a range of 14.1 - 20.4 C across all major growing regions which is a touch warmer than last week; and day time temperatures ranging 24.7 - 28.0 C. Rainfall in North Qld banana growing regions this week were minimal which is quite a change. Mareeba and Walkamin experienced falls of 0.2mm each; and decreased falls were experienced across Innisfail and Tully regions with recordings of 0mms.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish bananas has remained stable this week with pricing as follows: Aldi’s banana ticket price at $4.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.50/kg; and Coles were offering fruit at $4.50/kg in the stores visited.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Browns Plains and Indooroopilly

Cavendish were priced at $4.50/kg. Also at $4.50/kg were the kids packs.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg. Organic at $6.50/kg.
Most blooms were relatively good though a mix of duller fruit is present.

Below: Aldi Browns Plains and Indooroopilly

Stores had Cavendish @ $4.49/kg. Most with good colour, some minimal marking.

Havana Bananas back in some stores this week at $3.99/kg - good colour but some stores needing restocking.

Below: Woolworths Browns Plains and Indooroopilly

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.90. Occasional cluster found to have split peel.
Red tips were at $5.50/kg and Organic Clusters at $6.50/kg. Ladyfingers were $8/kg.