QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

🥑SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 46, 2024 - The industry experienced a 3.21% increase in production on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 539,190 tray equivalents harvested and transported (approx 18,000 more tray equivalents) on Week 45, 2024 production. Interestingly almost 90K units (up 8K units on last week) of this total were in the form of bulk/processing; a further 65K units were exported (more than double the quantity that was exported last week) which left just over 384K units for the domestic market.

Production across the country saw WA/NT continue their lead in production - accounting for 66.56% of the total volume, followed by NZ accounting for a further 21.61%, then Central NSW accounting for 7.31%, and lastly Tristate with 4.51% of the total production for the week. Dry matter in WA fruit is not only markedly varied from farm to farm; and block to block but this season there is a noticeable difference even down to the level of tree to tree on the same farm - it is believed this is in fact due to the previous 9-12 month period of prolonged dry heat over a long summer and a very mild winter which has impacted tree production; maturity and now influencing the development of fruit colour whilst on the tree. The impact of this is being seen in the form of quite mixed maturity - which is making the task of ripening a difficult one when trying to ensure consistency across trays. Developing colour of fruit whilst on the tree as noted is also occurring and a percentage of farms in the region are also experiencing a degree of fruit drop. This has resulted in some farms increasing their current harvest rate in recent weeks, which will see a short term increase in availability but for the longer term picture, we believe this will put pressure on hass supplies post Christmas. It is difficult to accurately gauge at this stage how long trees will hold fruit for in light of these factors.

· It is forecast that a total of some 527,000 tray equivalents will be despatched this week (Week 47) nationally, with the majority of these being hass. Production for the next three week period thereafter, is expected to fall within the range of 446 to 456K tray equivalents per week.

In terms of Avocado retailing in the major supermarkets in Qld this week we saw stable shelf prices as follows - Aldi’s Hass this week shelf tickets at $2.29 each; Coles Qld stores visited had Hass avos at $2.50ea, and Woolworths Qld with Hass at $2.50ea.

Supermarket confirmed AVOCADO pricing……

Quoted Market pricing….

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Displays from Forest Lake, Indooroopilly and Loganholme

Coles stores had both NZ and WA Hass in size 20-25 at $2.50ea. Fruit packed dates ranging 24th October through to 5th November, therefore fruit age ranging 15 days to 27 days.
5 piece packs at $9.90ea and 1kg packs at $8.90ea. Organic at $3.80ea.

Below: Aldi Displays from Forest Lake, Indooroopilly and Loganholme

NZ Hass from @ $2.29ea all Ct23/25. Fruit packed date of 21st October meaning fruit age from date of pack is 30 days.
1kg Avocado nets at $7.99ea and 5 piece packs at $7.99ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Forest Lake, Indooroopilly and Loganholme

Mix of Australian and NZ Hass avos primarily in Ct20/23/25 on display were retailing at $2.50. Fruit packed dates ranging 18th October through to 31st October hence fruit age from date of pack is 20 to 33 days old.
Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $8.90ea and 5 piece packs at $9.90ea. Organic packs at $7.90ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

🍌SUPPLY UPDATE

National Banana transport figures for week 46 saw 391,550 cartons harvested which was 1.5% or 5831 cartons fewer than the previous week. Weather patterns in the major growing regions we again saw minimal rainfall, with warm temperatures this week, particularly in the day with humidity on the increase as well. Temperatures in the far north have seen early A.M. temperatures fall within a range of 17.8 - 24.2 C across all major growing regions; and day time temperatures ranging 31.0 - 33.3 C. Rainfall in North Qld banana growing regions this week was as follows: Mareeba and Walkamin 0mm of rain; and Innisfail and Tully regions with 1.4-7.6mm of rain this week.

Quality is a still varied - although minimal bat/bird marking and rub marking observed this week - some still being found amongst a couple of displays together with some thrip marking and bronzing. Fruit bloom was generally bright which should help with fruit appeal.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish bananas has remained stable this week with pricing as follows: Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.00/kg; and Coles were offering fruit at $4.00/kg in the stores visited.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Forest Lake, Indooroopilly and Loganholme

Cavendish were priced at $4.00/kg. Also at $4.00/kg were the kids packs.
Red Tips at $5.90/kg. Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg. Organic at $6.50/kg.

Below: Aldi Forest Lake, Indooroopilly and Loganholme

Stores had Cavendish @ $3.99/kg. Most with good colour, some minimal marking.

Havana Bananas back in some stores this week at $3.99/kg - good colour mostly, some stores with green fruit.

Below: Woolworths Forest Lake, Indooroopilly and Loganholme

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.50.
Red tips were at $5.90/kg and Organic Clusters at $6.50/kg. Ladyfingers were $8/kg.