Retail Market Week 38

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures dropped a little in all regions within a range of 12.2 to 17.3C across the major growing regions in North Qld; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 24.8 to 28.7C. In terms of rainfall all regions have been relatively dry including Mareeba as well as Innisfail and Tully with only minor falls however Walkamin had an average of 6-8 mm per day. Bunch age will gradually decrease in terms of how long it takes the bunch to form and fill-out but it is still sitting at 15-16 weeks on farm.

Most lines of displayed fruit were exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light bat/bird marking still being seen; rust thrip damage; neck creases and a presence of sap stains found on a few lines on shelf. Colour was generally good ie brighter than in recent times though in a number of stores there seemed to be a higher presence of semi-coloured fruit (a few of these were a little greener than semi-coloured). Still seeing a low presence of 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 was uniform amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $3.49/kg; Coles with fruit ticketed at $3.50/kg and Woolworths at $3.50-$4.00/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 saw Western Australia maintain the lead in production contributing 33% of the total national harvest of some 449,010 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 23%; Tristates at 20%; Central NSW with 13%;  and South Qld contributing 9%. The remaining 2% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine/Northern Rivers; and Central Qld. This production figure represents a 40% increase on week prior and was 5% higher than what was forecast for the week.  All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.30 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.00-$2.00/piece depending upon quality/size. Within the markets, premium trays of hass are 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 $2 -$9 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $1 to $5 (2nds) --$10-$20/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 to 440,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging in the range of 420-450,000 trays per week for the next three weeks thereafter. You will note that WA have contributed 33% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 148,000 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA has been rather cool across the last week with early morning minimum temps ranging 2.4 to 9.9C and daytime maximum temps of 12.0 to 17.4C. The Manjimup region experienced 27mm of rain up to last Sunday and whilst it has been relatively dry for the start of this week the skies are grey and overcast and from Sunday on, daily rainfall is predicted for the next week. The Pemberton region has already experienced rainfall this week and again more is forecast. So this means picking and packing may be interrupted next week.

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.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld had Hass still at $1.19ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.20 each; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.20 - $1.30ea - even though a couple of stores had old price signage up at $1 ea on our visits - this was soon remedied. The majority of fruit on shelves, was found to be coloured or developing skin colour and yielding to gentle pressure.

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 $5.50 ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $4.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.90/bag on special.

Courtesy of avocado australia





AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI CAPALABA

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking (including bat/bird marks) present on displayed fruit and around half the fruit on display was green

  • Lady Fingers in hands stocked so that customers have to pull off the number they require, ticketed at a keen $5.99/kg.

ALDI CARINDALE

  • Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with some clusters exhibiting skin marking

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.

ALDI FAIRFIELD

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - minor skin marking present, sap stains, bat/bird marking and a few neck injuries were present.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg - ladyfingers were clustered and exhibited some minor skin marking.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES CAPALABA

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg (one only pack on display), fruit presented with the majority being of semi coloured condition. Minor skin marking and major rust thrip damage found on a couple of clusters.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg but no stock and Red Tips were priced at $5.50/kg with minor skin marking.

COLES CARINDALE

  • Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $3.50/kg - 90% semi coloured fruit on display - currently being refilled and tidied not positon of bottom layer of barge with two clusters deep and positioning can encourage bruising on the outer whorls; kids packs were the same retail price and had more colour. Cavendish were Reidy’s Bananas packed 2nd Sept.

  • Red tips at $5.50/kg, Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg, both Red Tips and Lady Fingers were considerably green though there were some clusters with colour on the bottom layer.

COLES FAIRFIELD

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $3.50. Again majority of display was semi-coloured fruit.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90(no stock) and Red tips at $5.50(needing refilling)

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CAPALABA

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg- displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER - minimal stock in the eat later section and a little of this was in the eat now area. Fruit was generally in good condition - fruit bloom was generally bright; some clusters with rub marking, light bat/bird marking.

  • A full banana category on display with Red tips priced at $5.50/kg; Ladyfingers at $7.50/kg and Kids banded clusters on special at $2.50.

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.50/kg - a percentage of eat later stock displayed in the area marked eat now, fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks.

  • Kids packs at $2.50/kg exhibited some rub marking; Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg with some light rub and Red Tips at $5.50/kg.

  • Note the product information cards, one for each line with a QR code by which shoppers can access more product information and recipes.

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $4.00/kg - some minor skin marking on a few clusters.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg with maturity bronzing and multiple small skin marks evident, Red tips at $5.50/kg majority of which were semi condition, Kids packs at $2.50 and Organic at $5.50/kg

Independent Retailer - FRESH SENSATIONS CAPALABA

  • Cavendish at $2.99/kg and Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg, some marking on all fruit

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI CAPALABA

  • Count 25 NZ Hass stock priced at $1.19 each, some of the stock packed 23rd August (30 days old) - fruit supplied by Avoco NZ and Skylark

  • 6 piece packs of Hass (from NZ) were priced at $4.99ea - Shelf price tag still says Product of Australia whilst swing tag states Product of New Zealand.

ALDI CARINDALE

  • Hass were on display- count 23 & 25 NZ Hass Avocados were priced at $1.19 each, from Skylark’s Avoco. Stock packed 23rd to 27th August so age is ranging 26 to 30 days.

  • 6 piece packs Hass were on offer for $4.99ea - same issue with shelf label stating Product of Australia whilst swing tags state Product of NZ.

ALDI FAIRFIELD

  • Count 23 & 25 Hass supplied by Avoco - Skylark and Freshmax (DBM); priced at $1.19 each. Fruit was firm to soft. Packed dates of 23rd to 30th August. One tray of count 23’s packed 12th Sept.

  • 6 piece packs of Hass were priced at $4.99ea - same issue with shelf label stating Product of Australia whilst swing tags state Product of NZ.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES CAPALABA

  • On offer a mix of NZ and Australian fruit. Avoco and Skylark Avocados count 20 + Giofrelle Australian Hass Count 23 priced at $1.20ea - primarily all fruit whether on table top display or shelf display was of purple black colour or developing skin colour with a range of maturities. NZ Stock packed 23rd August so 30 days old and Australian stock packed 8th September meaning it was 14 days old.

COLES CARINDALE

  • Hass Avocados count 23, display in trays on an end close to front of the store at $1.20ea - supplied by Avoco/Skylark packed 26th August meaning the fruit is 27 days old.

  • 5 piece packs at $5.50 were also displayed on the same end - contained Australian Hass, needed restocking.

COLES FAIRFIELD

  • NZ Hass supplied by Avoco/Skylark selling at $1.20ea displayed on the second end (approx 50% of pieces had skin colour - a good mix of maturities on offer).

  • 5 piece packs were priced at $5.50 - filled with Australian Hass - a well presented display.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CAPALABA

  • Hass Avocados count 23 supplied by Googa’s with ticket price of $1.00 ea - displayed on the front of the A frame display unit opposite entry to produce department; though the smaller shelf price ticket same side and on the reverse side of the display top right, had fruit at $1.20 ea. Fruit was packed on 10th Sept so just 12 days old.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.50ea

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

  • Large counts 16/18 Hass supplied by NZ Team Avocados, fruit priced at $1.30 a piece. The fruit was well presented both sides and selling well. Fruit packed 24th August so 29 days old.

  • This store also had 5 piece Australian hass avocado packs for $4.50 ea and Odd Bunch 1kg nets fo $3.90ea.

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

  • Count 23 NZ Hass Avocados from Team Avocados with ticket price of $1.20 ea. The majority of fruit had developing skin colour.

  • 5 piece packs of Australian Hass ticketed at $4.50ea and 1kg Odd Bunch nets for $3.90ea.

Independent retailer - FRESH SENSATIONS CAPALABA

Hass avocados - nice quality fruit at 2 for $4.00