QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The weather in the past week has seen more rain fall across all North Qld growing regions from last Monday to this Thursday - the heaviest falls across this day range include 75mm around Tully; 64mm Innisfail; 43 mm Mareeba and between 2-5mm/day at Walkamin. The temperature range has also continued to cool with morning temperatures ranging 12.5 to 19.1C and daytime temperature ranges of 22.0 to 25.9C. With the cooling of the seasonal weather this slows the growth rate and pushes the average bunch age out as fruit takes a little longer to form and reach maturity. When field temperatures drop below 10C is when we normally start seeing underpeel discolouration which results in fruit appearing somewhat dull - this is as a result of temporary sap flow cessation in the colder growing conditions.

The national cut for last week was just shy of 400K cartons so supply is relatively steady. It is expected to be similar next week within a range of 390-420K cartons. Our harvesting team continue to be proactively cutting fruit that is slightly thinner in girth in order to prevent too much bronzing damage - we are currently seeing in the vicinity of 10-15% with heavier marking being graded out. With the cooling of overnight and morning temperatures and slightly shorter days we will see production slow somewhat in the coming weeks - we are now harvesting fruit with 16-17 weeks bunch age. We know when we are packing out more large fruit (200-220mm) that winter is upon us - we are packing somewhere close to 10% of our crop as large currently. Our packing crew in the shed have been vigilant in continuing to grade out excessive bat scratching and visible bronzing defects to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival to our customers.

Quality on shelf this week was again varied - some lines presented very well with minimal marking with good colour and bloom; whilst others were dull, with evidence of bronzing, sap staining, rub marking, neck damage and of course still a little bat/bird marking as you see in the photos below.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland is indicative of the shorter supply with cavendish retail tickets still all above $4/kg. The offer varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $4.49/kg; Woolworths at $4.50/kg and Coles offering fruit at $4.50 to $4.90/kg dependent upon the store locality.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

This week we see Central Qld take the lead in avocado production accounting for 53% of the total harvest of some 314,471 trays last week; followed by North Qld with 45%; and the remaining 2% came from combined regions of South Qld and Sunshine Coast. This production figure represents a 34% decrease on week prior and a 15% increase on what was forecast for this period. This is as a direct result of North Qld growers electing not to pick as a result of the volume that was and is already in the market and the impact that has had on price - as stated last week we had been hearing rumours that a number of agents had instructed growers to stop picking until some of the volume had cleared and this seems to have been actioned. As of today, there is still a significant volume of fruit in all markets and we expect current pricing to be maintained. We have seen trays advertised in Victoria this week at just $5.00/tray by independent retailers. Coles and Aldi are both selling Hass at $1 per piece, Woolies were at $1.50ea for Australian Hass on Wednesday when we visited stores - from a customer’s perspective this represents astounding value but it is yet to be seen if sales increase significantly. Avocado market sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$16/tray. Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $5 --$10 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $5 --$30/ctn depending upon grade, quality and count size.

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 355,000 - 360,000 trays and then is forecast to lift to 362K and then 370K per week in the following fortnight.

Presentation in Qld stores this week was mixed in terms of quality; whilst there is a strong on the Hass variety as the main display, there was a continued presence of Greenskin’s Gmax avocado varietal in all three majors and in most instances the Gmax was at a higher ticket price than the Hass. What the specials on Hass this week have highlighted at store level is a presence of older fruit, some quite ripe and many with nodule damage, rots, some dehydration and sun bleaching as you will see in the images captured.

This week we saw more activity amongst the Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets with an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $4.99 ea; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $5.50 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $6.90ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $6.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at just $5.50/bag.

It has definitely been a week of one where price has been the driving factor! In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Greenskin Gmax Avos either $0.99 or $1.49 depending upon location and Hass at an advertised, catalogue featured piece price of $0.99ea; Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass and Greenskin Gmax Avos ticketed at $1.50 ea for Hass and $2.00 ea on the Gmax; whilst Coles in Qld went out strong with radio advertising of the Hass promo at $1 per piece meanwhile selling the Greenskin Gmax Avos at $2.00 each.

Avocados Australia are continuing their marketing campaign with the airing of “Our Green Gold” television commercials through until the end of June which are being supported by social media, digital advertising and public relations activity. Keep a look out for anything Green and Gold that avocados could declare governance over or at least be associated with!

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, but overall in good condition
Lady Fingers were priced at $6.99/kg
Lil Snackers were priced at $3.99 per pack (750g)

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $4.29 with skin marking including bat scratches, neck damage whilst condition of fruit included a percentage being dull in appearance.
Lady Fingers were presented quite averagely, priced at $6.99/kg

ALDI KENMORE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $4.49/kg - a degree of skin marking, neck damage and rust thrip present
Lady Fingers were price at $6.99 with half of the fruit being backward and Lil Snackers packs were priced at $3.99

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.90/kg and kids packs at $4.90/kg. Kids banded clusters had a few skin marks and some were backward. Lizzio Bananas packed 19th May were just about to be used to top up the display - fruit age 14 days old.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg- minimal fingers on display. Red tips were on display for $5.00/kg
All varieties had a presence of minor skin marking

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.50/kg and kids packs were the same.
Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and Red tips at $5.00/kg

COLES KENMORE

Cavendish were priced at $4.90/kg with kids packs priced the same - again a presence of neck damage and a little bat marking
The majority of the Cavendish display had good colour and bloom - though still a few very dull clusters scattered throughout.
Lady Fingers were on display at $7.90, these had good colour
This store also had Organic bananas ticketed at $6.00 (500g) on a fibreboard tray and overwrapped - stock marked down for quick sale - one only.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas priced at $4.50/kg- a few clusters will dull bloom and minor skin scarring and a little light sap staining.
Lady Fingers were at $7.90/kg a few clusters with rub marking and a little bat marking
Organic variety were priced at $5.90, these were of good quality and Red tips were priced at $5.50, but no stock
There was pricing for Kids packs at $2.50 however again no stock on display.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.50/kg
On the cavendish display, approx 50% coloured and 50% semi colour condition, a few with light scarring or sap staining but generally good colour/bloom
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg; whilst Lil Sana clusters were at $2.50/kg however there was no stock of these

WOOLWORTHS KENMORE

Cavendish were priced at $4.50/kg with stock supplied by Mackays, grown by Howe Farming and packed 19th May indicating fruit is 14 days old. Fruit presented well. A mix of colour and semi-condition throughout the display.
Lady Fingers were clean skinned and had good colour with a ticket price of $7.90/kg
Red tips were of good condition and were priced at $5.50 as were Organic variety

AVOCADOS AT ALDI