QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures are starting to warm up within a range of 15 to 21.5C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 21.1 to 28C. In terms of rainfall all regions have been relatively dry this week in Mareeba but all other NQ growing regions have experienced 1-5mm per day , though Innisfail did have a little extra last Saturday with just over 11mm. 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 488K cartons. This figure represented an increase of 4.4% 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 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 throught out. Still seeing some fruit with dull bloom on show in stores. 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-$4.00/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 saw a change of guard with respects to the lead in production with Tristates contributing 21% of the total national harvest of some 398 000 trays last week; followed by Central NSW with 18%; WA and NZ both contributing 16%; Central Qld at 14% and South Qld at 11%. The remaining 4% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine/Northern Rivers; and North Qld. This production figure represents an 8% decrease on week prior and was 2% lower than what was forecast for the week. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.30 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $0.49 - $1.00/piece. With NSW, Victoria and Canberra in lockdown this is continuing to impact 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 400,000 trays and then the forecast shows figures ranging in the range of 450-460,000 trays per week for the next three weeks thereafter. You will note that WA have contributed 16% of the national volume this week which equates to approximately 64,000 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA experienced 20mm of rain up to last Saturday and then it has been relatively dry throughout the remainder of this week though the region has experienced wind speeds of 50-60 km/hr on 4 of the last 7 days, morning temps ranging 4.2-11.7C and daytime temps of 11.2 to 26.1C. Avonova’s packshed have decided to hold steady for another week or two prior to commencing harvest.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing and pricing in all three major supermarkets varied a little depending upon store location but generally speaking $1/piece seems to be common - 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-$1.30 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 Coles store this week had coloured fruit which was all soft to very soft.

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-$5.50 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 Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI LABRADOR

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking (including bat/bird marks) 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 $5.99/kg.

ALDI HELENSVALE

Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with some clusters exhibiting skin marking - fruit being added to display was grown by Devaney’s.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.

ALDI FAIRFIELD

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 clustered and exhibited some minor skin marking.

Aldi Fairfield Banana Quality 080921.jpg

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES HELENSVALE

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg, fruit presented with a section that were semi coloured which would be ready to eat in a few days and coloured fruit - also a basket for singles on the end of the display unit.

COLES FAIRFIELD

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 $7.90/kg

COLES HOPE ISLAND

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $4.00/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $4.00.
Stepped display almost in need of topping up.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS HELENSVALE

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg- fruit based on condition was being displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER. Fruit was generally in good condition - some quite dull clusters present.
A full banana category on display with Red tips priced at $4.00/kg and Organic Clusters at $5.50/kg; Laydingers at $7.50/kg (most of these had a green tinge to the skin) and Kids banded clusters at $2.50.

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.50/kg - stock was displayed in the correct sections, display almost in need of a tidy and top up, fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks.
Kids packs at $2.50/kg, Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg with some light rub and scarring of skin.

WOOLWORTHS HARBOUR TOWN GC

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.50/kg - some minor skin marking on a few clusters.
Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg, Red tips at $4.00/kg, Kids packs at $2.50 and Organic at $5.50/kg All displays needed a top up.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI