QUICKLINKS

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

🥑SUPPLY UPDATE

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

· Week 5, 2025 - The industry experienced a 13.30% decrease in production on the previous week’s harvest with a total of only 331,504 tray equivalents harvested and transported (approx 50,000 less tray equivalents) on Week 4, 2024 production which after taking out approximately 9000 trays that were exported and another 37,000 in the form of bulks and processing fruit, this leaves just 285,000 for domestic sales.

Production across the country saw WA/NT continue their lead in production - accounting for 63.44% of the total volume, followed by NZ accounting for a further 22.31%, then Central NSW accounting for 4.08%, and lastly Tristate with 2.19% of the total production for the week.

· It is forecast that a total of some 389,000 tray equivalents will be dispatched this week (Week 6) nationally, with the majority of these being Hass; with about one-third of this total being new season NQ Shepard Avocados. Production for the next three week period thereafter, is expected to fall within the range of 302 to 411K tray equivalents per week. We have seen a trickle of Shepard avocados arrive in all eastern central markets, not a lot of volume at this stage, and the fruit that has arrived has to be ripened before sales really get underway but early indications have the market in the vicinity of $50.00-$55.00 on premium trays as a general guide. As volumes increase over the next couple of weeks, this pricing will come back. Still a good volume of both WA and NZ hass to be found on all market floors as well. As supplies of Hass decline over the next fortnight to three weeks on the east coast, demand will lift for the new season Shepard and availability should also increase. We expect more Shepards to be harvested over the next two weeks to meet ripening programme requirements with supermarkets expected to be stocking Shepards on shelf by the end of the month or a little earlier.

Please take note we have been asked to ensure fruit from all farms/blocks have been submitted for dry matter testing before harvesting commences and that a range of sizes are tested, including smaller sizes fruit which are used in the prepacks, to ensure what we do harvest is exceeding minimum dry matter requirements for our customers positive eating experience. Whilst we undertook a small harvest this week, we envisage, all going well with the weather and gradual subsiding of flood waters in the North, we will continue our selective size harvesting next week.

In terms of Avocado retailing in the major supermarkets in Qld this week we saw relatively stable shelf prices as follows - Aldi’s Hass this week shelf tickets at $2.99 each; Coles Qld stores visited had Hass avos at $3.50ea, and Woolworths Qld with Hass at $3.50ea.

Supermarket confirmed AVOCADO pricing……

Quoted Market pricing….

RETAIL SNAPSHOTS OF AVOCADOS

Below: Coles Displays from Indooroopilly and Ashgrove

Coles stores had both NZ and WA Hass in size 20-25 at $3.50ea.
5 piece packs at $10.90ea and 1kg packs at $9.90ea. Organic at $4.50ea.

Below: Aldi Displays from Indooroopilly and Ashgrove

NZ Hass from @ $2.99ea all Ct23/25.
1kg Avocado nets at $8.99ea and 5 piece packs at $9.99ea.

Below: Woolworths Displays from Indooroopilly and Ashgrove

Mix of Australian and NZ Hass avos primarily in Ct20/23/25 on display were retailing at $3.50.
Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $10.90ea and 5 piece packs at $9.90ea.

BANANA OVERVIEW

🍌SUPPLY UPDATE

National Banana transport figures for week 5 were 443,270 cartons which is just over 20% less (some 115K cartons) than the week prior but in light of the tropical low and subsequent flooding in some regions, this is still a good result. Weather patterns in the major growing regions we saw a continuation of warm temperatures and lots of rain this week associated with the tropical low in the region. Temperatures in the far north have seen early A.M. temperatures fall within a range of 19.1 - 25.2 C across all major growing regions; and day time temperatures still ranging 28.0 - 32.0 C. Rainfall in North Qld banana growing regions this week with the presence of a Tropical Low off the coast has been rather heavy as follows: Mareeba receiving 139mm for the week; and Innisfail receiving a total of a whopping 737.4mm!! Swelling of local waterways and sodden landscapes have resulted in flooding of roads and major highways which will impact the distribution of produce south. All transporters are seeking alternate routes but even roads are cut to the likes of Charters Towers and as such transporters are taking every opportunity they can in relation to the drop in flood relating to tidal activity to get stock on its way south. The weather bureau have forecast more rain across this coming weekend and into next week. We will continue to monitor the weather and advise our customers accordingly or the start of Week 7.

Quality is consistent with mostly good colour and minimal skin marking - minor rub damage, some light skin marking etc seen this week.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish bananas were 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 $4.50/kg in the stores visited.

RETAIL SNAPSHOT OF BANANAS

Below: Coles Indooroopilly and Ashgrove

Cavendish were priced at $4.00-4.50/kg. $4.50/kg were the kids packs.
Red Tips at $5.00/kg on special. Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg. Organic at $6.50/kg.

Below: Aldi Indooroopilly and Ashgrove

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.

Below: Woolworths Indooroopilly and Ashgrove

Woolworths had Cavendish bananas priced at $4.00/kg, Lil Sana kids banded clusters at $3.00.
Red tips were at $5.50/kg and Organic Clusters at $6.50/kg. Ladyfingers were $6.90/kg.