Retail Market Week 35

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures are starting to warm up within a range of 14.6 to 22.4C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 24.8 to 29C. In terms of rainfall all regions have been relatively dry this week until the heavens opened on Wednesday with falls of 62 to 90 mm in Tully and Innisfail; whilst Mareeba and Walkamin districts had between 16-18mm on Wednesday. Now that the weather is warming bunch age will gradual decrease in terms of how long it takes the bunch to form and fill-out or if you prefer, as the sunlight hours increase together with warmer temperatures growth will hasten - we are now seeing bunch age range 15-16 weeks on farm.

The national cut for last week was just over of 467K cartons. This figure represented a decrease of -0.759% on the previous week. The national cut for this week is expected to be similar, within a range of 470-490K cartons. On farm we are finding the amount of bronzing we have seen in recent weeks has reduced considerably with only 5-8% fruit being graded out due to heavier marking to ensure fruit is within spec on arrival.

Most lines of displayed fruit were exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light bat/bird marking; neck creases and a presence of sap stains. Colour was generally good though one of the Aldi stores this week had a predominance of green fruit on show. 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 $3.50/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 27% of the total harvest of some 369,784 trays last week; followed by Central NSW with 22%;  WA at 19%; Tristate at 13% and South Qld at 12%. The remaining 5% came from a combination of the following regions New Zealand, Sunshine Coast, Tamborine/Northern Rivers; and North Qld. This production figure represents a 18% decrease on week prior and was 14% lower than what was forecast for the week.  All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.10 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $0.29 - $1.00/piece. With NSW, Victoria and Canberra in lockdown this is impacting customer purchase patterns and markets are struggling to move the volume of fruit. Within the markets, avocado sales or lack there of is diabolical to say the least with premium trays selling in the range of $10 -$16/tray depending upon size and quality of each line.  Pricing for class one fruit (main sales) is ranging $1 -$8 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $1 to $5 (2nds) --$10-$15/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 404,000 trays and then the forecast shows figures ranging in the range of 410-430,000 trays per week for the next three weeks. You will note that WA have again contributed 19% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 70,250 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA experienced 1-2mm of rain most days with 3 of the last 7 days receiving 6-13mm per day, morning temps ranging 3.4-10.6C and daytime temps of 11.2 to 17.6C - the weather conditions hampered harvest this week. Avonova’s packshed should be kicking off next week provided the weather is fine; as we are keen to minimise lenticel and nodule damage.

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 continues to stimulate consumer appetites as the southern states particularly need this - it would be great to see more recipe/usage ideas in store or as a feature in magazines whilst prices are low to encourage consumers to experiment a little more.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld had Hass still 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 - one Woolies store with rather soft fruit this week.

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 $4.99 ea ; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.90 ea and 1kg I’m Perfect packs selling at $3.90ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $4.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.50/bag on special.















AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

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

  • Lady Fingers in hands stocked so that customers have to pull off the number they require, ticketed at a keen $4.99/kg.

ALDI OXLEY

  • Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with fruit being mostly green

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $4.99 but no stock

ALDI COOPAROO

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking present, 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 INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg, the majority of clusters were in semi- condition (some green)

  • Lady Fingers were also available at $7.90/kg, organic packs at $6.00 and red tips were $5.50/kg

COLES CORINDA

  • Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $4.00/kg and kids packs were the same.

  • Red tips at $5.50/kg, Ladyfingers also at $7.90/kg

COLES COOPAROO

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg

  • Good quality in this store of all varieties

  • Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg- fruit based on condition was being displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER - however no ‘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, a little green and priced at $4.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS SHERWOOD

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.00/kg - stock was displayed in the correct sections, presented well, quite clean

  • Kids packs at $2.50/kg, Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg and Red tips at $4.50/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, Kids packs at $2.50



AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • Count 23 Hass stock priced at 99c each, packed 19th August (13 days old) - fruit supplied by DBM - Dorrian.

  • 6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea.

ALDI OXLEY

  • Hass were on display- count 23 Hass Avocados were priced at 99c each, these were 18 days old

  • 6 piece packs Hass for $4.99ea were on offer.

ALDI COOPAROO

  • Count 23 Hass supplied by Lovacado (Costa’s); stock priced at 99c each. (13-14 Days old)

  • 6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • Costa Hass and Simpson’s Reed Avos priced at $1.00ea - quality was generally good, thought a few pieces with bruising and sun blemish.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.90ea

COLES CORINDA

  • Hass and Reed 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.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.90

COLES COOPAROO

  • Hass Avocados Count 25 and 28 loose selling at $1.00ea displayed on a table top unit (most pieces had skin colour and a percentage were softening) and end a secondary display on the end unit as well as floor displays.

  • 5 piece packs were priced at $4.90

  • Some considerable marking on loose avos

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.10 ea. Supplied by Costa’s and Simpsons - count 20’s

  • 5 piece packs ticketed at $4.50ea and 1kg at $3.90 on special

  • Also stocked were the Organic variety at $3.50ea and Avo Fresh Spread at $5.50

WOOLWORTHS SHERWOOD

  • Count 28 Hass supplied by Simpson Farms, grown by Marrbiz priced at $1.00 each. Majority were clean and presented well. A high volume of fruit was quite soft at this store.

  • 1kg Odd Bunch packs were on special priced at $3.50 ea while 5 piece nets were $4.50 each.

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

  • Count 18/20 Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.10 ea, Fruit supplied by JC&SK Smythe and Simpsons (Grower - Marrbiz) .

  • 5 piece packs ticketed at $4.50ea and 1kg packs at $3.50ea on special.