QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national banana cut last week increased by a almost 44,000 cartons to a total of 444,343 cartons harvested. The weather in the past week has been overcast and very wet in a number of areas in the far North with up to 700mm rain across a three day period; temperatures were milder with minimum temperatures ranging 16.3-22C and maximum day temps of 23 to 30.1C. This week of inclement weather will not help fruit bloom and will hinder each farms ability to harvest so national production is expected to decline somewhat to within the range of 380,000 to 400,000 cartons.

Quality on shelf this week has improved slightly with definitely less visible bat marking (more sporadic) , on some lines there is a presence of sooty mould, rust thrip damage, minor neck injuries and general skin marking including point scarring and rub.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.99/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg and Coles offering fruit at $4.00/kg dependent upon the store locality. The independent at one outlet had cavendish at $3.29/kg.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 66.8% of the total production of some 282,888 trays last week; followed by Central Qld with 31.9%; with the remaining 1% coming from Central NSW and South Qld. Whilst this production represents a 20.6% increase, this includes all varieties including Shepard ((253K), Maluma (15K) and new season Hass (13K). Pricing continues to be quite stable within the market place. Australian Shepard main sales for premium are in the range of $20 -$30/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $14 --$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.

North Qld Shepard avocados are forecast to be lighter again next week with around 170,000 to 180,000 trays forecast. The forecast for the next two week period shows the tray volume dropping to 100K and then 70K as this season for this variety is nearing its end. Conversely the production of Hass over this same two week period is forecast to lift to 134K and then 258K in the same timeframe.

The weather in far north Queensland has not been conducive to getting a start on picking and packing our Hass avocados with rain in excess of 100-150mm on several days and lighter showers every other day - for this reason we have elected to hold off for dry weather as if me make a start the result is a higher level of nodule damage and there is also a risk of increased rots. We are hoping to commence early next week. Sadly not all growers in the region are withholding from picking in the rain.

Presentation in stores this week was again generally good with fruit having good shape and glossy skins.

Prepack formulations offer a great opportunity for both the retailer and the customer alike - offering real value and an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets at $6.99 ea on special and Woolworths have utilised their prepack range this week to attract customers with the 5 pack on special for $7.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $6.50/bag.

In terms of Shepard retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld price was the most competitive at $1.79 per single piece; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Shepards ticketed between $1.60 ea to $2.00 ea depending upon store location; whilst Coles in Qld continued their offer of Shepards $1.90 each or 3 for $5.00.

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 LUTWYCHE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.99/kg - a degree of skin marking as well as some of the fruit spotting

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

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

ALDI GARDEN CITY

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 $2.79 and Lady Fingers at $6.99, both varieties showing skin markings

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES LUTWYCHE

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg and kids packs at $4.00/kg
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90
All varieties had a presence of backward fruit and minor skin marking.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish at this store were displayed well at $4.00/kg
Lady Fingers were priced $7.90
Most fruit had good colour though still a presence of dull clusters, roughly 20% backward fruit with a degree of skin marking of the cavendish.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $4.00 with kids packs priced the same
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these needed to be refilled

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS LUTWYCHE

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg- odd cluster will dull bloom and skin marking around 40% were backward
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 some marking

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.50/kg with kids packs priced at $3.90
In the cavendish variety there were a few backward clusters, and a considerable amount of marking
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg with some skin marking/sap staining

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $4.50/kg and kids packs at $3.90
Red tip variety and organics at $5.00/kg
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg
Some stock was semi condition, odd cluster backward

AVOCADOS AT ALDI