Retail Market Week 34

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures have cooled with a range of 14 to 20.2C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 23.2 to 30.6C. In terms of rainfall, both Innisfail and Tully have received a little more rain this week with a total of 30mm for Innisfail and 12mm for Tully across the week; whilst Mareeba and Walkamin districts have both been relatively dry over the last week. With the continuation of rather mild weather, there has not been a great deal of change with respect to bunch age this week - so we are still ranging 16-17 weeks on farm. Growth rates are steady, with not a great deal of change expected until the weather heats up and they day lengthens.

The national cut for last week was just shy of 471K cartons. This figure represented a decrease of 6.15% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 480-500K cartons. On farm we are grading out 10-15% with heavier marking to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival.

Most lines of fruit are exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light bat/bird marking; neck creases and a presence of sap stains. Colour was generally good though all three Coles stores visited had a high percentage of semi-condition fruit on display. Aldi stock tended to have a higher percentage of fruit with dull bloom. Signage continued to be displayed in both Coles and Woolworths stores alerting their customers of the impact of cold winter temperatures on bananas during growth resulting in a dull bloom, yet fruit is still sweet to eat.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied between the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49/kg; Coles with fruit ticketed at $3.50-$4/kg and Woolworths at $3.00/kg in the stores visited this week. 

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW


SUPPLY UPDATE


The figures released this week again saw Central Qld maintaining the lead in terms of avocado production accounting for 36% of the total harvest of some 453,470 trays last week; followed by Central NSW with 17%;  South Qld at 15%; WA at 14% and Tristate at 13%. The remaining 5% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine; Northern Rivers; North Qld and a trickle from New Zealand. This production figure represents a 7% increase on week prior and was 7% higher than what was forecast for the week.  All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.00 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.00/piece. It is hoped that with pricing reset at this piece rate that sales will enliven. Within the markets, avocado sales for premium trays are in the range of $12 -$20/tray depending upon size and quality of each line.  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 $1 to $5 (2nds) --$15-$25/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size. 

The national production of Hass this week is forecast to be in the vicinity of 430,000 trays and then the forecast shows figures ranging in the range of 430-460,000 trays per week for the next three weeks. You will note that WA have again contributed 14% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 63,500 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA experienced rain 4 out of the last 7 days with between 2 and 6mm per day, morning temps ranging 4.3-9.5C and daytime temps of 12.7 to 20.3C - relatively as forecast for the last week.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing and pricing in all three major supermarkets has remained at a stable $1 a piece - so we are hoping this stimulates consumer appetites for a few extra avocados in their shopping baskets this week. Whilst checking on stores this week, I overheard shoppers when at the avocado display with comments like “at a $1 each we can put a couple in the basket” which is pleasing indeed.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld had Hass back at $0.99ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.00 each; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.00-$1.10 ea. The majority of fruit on shelves, whilst having developing skin colour was found to be just yielding to firm. Prepack formulations on offer by all major supermarkets provide an opportunity to move greater volumes in a single purchase. Aldi were offering their 6 piece nets on special at $3.99 ea and featured in their weekly catalogue; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.50 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $3.50ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $5.00-$5.90 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.90/bag.














AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

Courtesy of avocados australia

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI ACACIA RIDGE

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking present on displayed fruit and some clusters with dull bloom.

  • Lady Fingers in stock at $4.99

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with fruit being of generally good colour

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $4.99

ALDI COOPAROO

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking present, around 10% of fruit was green. Minor marking; sap stains and a few neck injuries were present.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $4.99/kg - ladyfingers were sold in hands so that customers had to pull apart.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES FAIRFIELD

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg, the majority of clusters were in semi- condition, (some quite green) there was no coloured fruit at all expcept for the kids packs and ladyfingers.

  • Cavendish exhibited a little bat marking, a few cuts to the skin oted and sap staining.

  • Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg and red tips were $5.50/kg

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $3.50/kg and kids packs were the same.

  • Red tips at $5.50/kg, Ladyfingers also at $5.50/kg on special

  • Quite a lot of green fruit in this store

COLES COOPAROO

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg

  • Again a large percentage of green fruit, some minor marking and fruit yet to be unpacked

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg- fruit based on condition was being displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER - not much eat later fruit available. Fruit was generally in good condition.

  • Lady Fingers were at $6.90/kg and Kids banded clusters ticketed at $2.50- these were of good quality

  • Red tips were fully stocked and priced at $4.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/kg - stock was displayed in the correct sections, presented well, quite clean

  • Kids packs at $2.50/kg, Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg, Red tips at $5.00/kg and Organic variety at $5.90/kg

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/kg - some minor skin marking on a few clusters.

  • Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg, Red tips at $4.00/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI ACACIA RIDGE

  • Count 25 Hass stock priced at 99c each, packed 12th August (13 days old)

  • 6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $3.99ea.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • Hass were on display- count 23 Hass Avocados were priced at 99c each, these were 12 days old

  • 6 piece packs Hass for $3.99ea were on offer.

ALDI COOPAROO

  • Count 25 Hass supplied by Lovacado (Costa’s); stock priced at 99c each. (13-14 Days old)

  • 6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $3.99ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES FAIRFIELD

  • Costa Hass priced at $1.00ea, displayed on second table top just inside the store and also on the end of the second unit - quality was generally good, thought a few pieces with bruising and skin marking.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.50ea and 1kg packs at $3.50

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Hass Avocados loose on a table top display positioned inside at the front of the store at $1.00ea and also on the end of second unit together with the 5 pack display.

  • 1kg Packs priced at $3.50 and 5 piece packs at $4.50

COLES COOPAROO

  • Hass Avocados Count 25 and 28 loose selling at $1.00ea displayed on a table top unit and end unit.

  • 5 piece packs were priced at $4.50

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

  • Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.00 ea. Supplied by Costa’s and Simpsons - grower’s Costas and JC & SK Smythe - count 18’s packed 14th August - fruit is 9 days old.

  • 5 piece packs ticketed at $5.90ea and 1kg at $3.90 on special

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Hass supplied priced at $1.00 each. Majority were clean and presented well.

  • 1kg Odd Bunch packs were on special priced at $3.90 ea

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

  • Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.10 ea, Fruit supplied by Lava Valley and .

  • 5 piece packs ticketed at $5.00ea and 1kg packs at $3.90ea on special.