QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national banana cut last week was fairly stable with just over 400,000 cartons harvested. National production is expected to be within the range of 380-410K cartons next week. The weather in the past week has been milder with minimum temperatures ranging 17.2 - 24.0C and maximum day temps of 28.1 to 32.9C. Minimal rain in the last week, though Walkamin did have 37mm for the week, though a more significant wet period is forecast for next week particularly for the Innisfail and Tully regions.

Quality on shelf this week whilst slightly improved, continues to be somewhat disappointing with dull, grey/bronzed fruit with various skin markings being a common finding particularly in Coles and Aldi stores - this is most likely as a result of recent weather conditions. Pleased to say however that there is less visible bat/bird marked fruit being seen on retail shelves. All chains had a percentage of semi-coloured or backward fruit on shelf this week.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.99/kg; Woolworths at $3.90/kg and Coles offering fruit at $3.30 to $4.50/kg dependent upon the store locality. As already stated, quality varied greatly with a number of lines having visible skin marking including neck damage, bat scratches, sap staining, rust thrip damage and rub marking.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld maintains the lead in production with their Shepard season accounting for 75% of the total production of some 234,651 last week; followed by Central Qld with 24%; with the remaining 1% coming from Central NSW. Pricing has continued stabilised somewhat in the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray, odd $32/tray around. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $16 --$20 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $40 --$45/ctn and for class one and 2nd bulks $10 --$30/ctn.

Shepard avocados are forecast to be lighter again next week with around 150,000 to 170,000 trays expected from growing regions. The forecast for the next two week period shows the Shepard tray volume continuing to decline and Hass volumes commencing and steadily increasing with around 200,000 trays expected by first week May. Growers have been advised to send their dry matter test results before commencing harvesting their hass crop and to make sure they submit a range of fruit sizing for testing - as even the small fruit used in prepacks has to meet the maturity requirements.

Some action in the prepack market this week with Woolworths having their 1kg Odd Bunch on special @$6.50/bag and 5 piece packs at $7.50 ea in Qld. All major chains still have shepards in their prepack formulations at this stage with a changeover to Hass expected by mid May.

In terms of Shepard retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld price was a competitive $1.49 per piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Shepards ticketed anywhere from $1.80/piece to $3.00 ea if price tickets can be believed; whilst Coles in Qld have continued to run fruit at $1.90ea or offer 3 for $5.00 on both Shepards and Maluma’s (Autumn Hass) to stimulate demand. Presentation in stores this week was generally pleasing.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Shepards, Aldi Shepards and Coles Shepards Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI CARINDALE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.99/kg - a degree of skin marking as well as some of the fruit spotting
This store also had Lil Snackers 750g packs priced at $3.49, some of these were slightly backward

ALDI CANNON HILL

Cavendish were priced at $3.99 and were backward, with some considerable marking and sap staining
Lady Fingers were slightly marked and were priced at $5.99
Lil Snackers were priced at $3.49

ALDI WYNNUM

Cavendish were priced at $3.99 with around 70% of fruit being backward and stacked which can produce marking
Lil Snackers packs were priced at $3.49 and Lady Fingers at $5.99, both varieties showing skin markings

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.30/kg and kids packs at $3.30/kg
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90
All varieties had a presence of backward fruit and minor skin marking.

COLES CANNON HILL

Cavendish at this store were displayed well at $3.30/kg, Kids banded clusters similarly were $3.30.
Lady Fingers were priced $7.90 - a number of clusters with skin marking.
Approximately 50% of cavendish display was semi-colour or backward in condition, some clusters affected by sooty mould, bronzing and sap staining.

COLES WYNNUM

Cavendish were priced at $4.50 with Kids packs priced the same
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these needed to be refilled

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.90/kg. Good colour and generally good bloom (odd cluster will dull bloom), light skin marking.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg with a degree of skin marking, Little Sana banded packs were priced at $3.90, red tips at $5.00/kg, all fruit with minimal marking

WOOLWORTHS CANNON HILL

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.90/kg with kids packs priced at $3.30
In the cavendish variety there were a few backward clusters - some quite long clusters, little sooty mould present and skin marking - not a lot of fruit could be taken home and eaten the same day.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg with good colour and minimal skin marking

WOOLWORTHS WYNNUM

Cavendish were priced at $3.90/kg and were in urgent need of a refill. The few clusters on offer were of good quality.
Red tip variety (with some neck injuries present and organics at $5.00/kg
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg a number of these with skin marks and superficial bruising.
Kids bananas were lovely and presented well.

Independent in the centre….Would you buy this???

Cavendish bananas were priced at $2.99/kg, dull fruit, sooty mould, neck injuries, light bat marking.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI