Retail Market Week 40

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures having finally started warming up in North Qld again in all regions within a range of 15.4 to 20.6C; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 25.6 to 36.5C. In terms of rainfall all regions have been relatively dry this week with the exception of Walkamin which has experienced light rainfall most days totally 40mm for the week. If the warm weather experienced over the last week continues then bunch age will be coming back but it is still sitting at 15-17 weeks on farm currently.

The national cut is forecast for this week to be in a range of 440-460,000 cartons.

Most lines of displayed fruit were exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light sap staining; bat/bird marking still being seen; rust thrip damage; as well as neck creases 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. Whilst fruit bloom has definitely improved over recent weeks, there is still a low level presence of fruit with dull bloom on show in a few stores.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied this week amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi offering fruit at $2.49/kg; Coles with fruit ticketed at $2.50 - $3.50/kg and Woolworths at $2.50-$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 Western Australia maintain the lead in production contributing 39% of the total national harvest of some 420,754 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 25%; Tristates at 17%; Central NSW with 10%;  and South Qld contributing 7%. The remaining 2% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine/Northern Rivers; and Central Qld. This production figure represents a 4% increase on week prior and was 9% higher than what was forecast for the week.  All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.50per 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 $12 -$18/tray (very good quality getting a little $18) 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 $2 to $12 (2nds) --$12-$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 420,000 to 430,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging in the range of 400-420,000 trays per week for the next three weeks thereafter. You will note that WA have contributed 39% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 164,000 trays. The weather in the south west corner of WA has experienced rain most days in the last week, whilst early morning minimum temps ranging 3.2 to 11.9C and daytime maximum temps of 12.4 to 16.9C. The Manjimup region experienced 32mm of rain in the last week. Pemberton region has also had further rainfall though BOM is a little scare of data. Growers are very aware of the increased possibility of nodule damage if fruit is picked and transited during rainfall so structure their week to minimalise the effect that the weather may have.

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 and banner.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld had Hass at $0.99ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.50 ea or 3 for $4.00; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.10ea. 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 $4.99ea ; Coles had their 5 piece pack at $4.90 ea; whilst Woolworths had the 5 pack on offer for $4.50 and the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $3.90/bag on special.






image courtesy of avocados australia

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI CARINDALE

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $2.49/kg - minor skin marking (including rub and sap stains) present on displayed fruit

ALDI ACACIA RIDGE

  • Cavendish were priced at $2.49/kg with some clusters exhibiting skin marking

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg. A number of clusters with maturity bronzing.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

  • Cavendish bananas were on special displayed at $2.50/kg and kids packs at $2.50/kg, fruit presented with the majority being of semi coloured condition. Minor skin markind found on a couple of clusters.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg and Red Tips were priced at $4.90/kg with minor skin marking.

COLES GREENSLOPES

  • Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $2.50/kg - 20-30% semi coloured fruit on display; kids packs were the same retail price

  • Organic Packs at $4.50/kg, Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed at $2.50/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $2.50. Finding small dry scars and some rub marking on clusters randomly throughout the display.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90 and Red tips at $4.90

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50/kg- displayed in the relevant section ie EAT NOW and EAT LATER sections. Fruit was generally in good condition - fruit bloom was generally bright; some clusters with light scarring and neck injuries.

  • A full banana category on display with Organic clusters priced at $5.00/kg; Ladyfingers at $7.50/kg and Kids banded clusters on special at $2.50. Red tips also on display for $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $2.50/kg - a percentage of eat later stock displayed in the area marked eat later but no Eat Now stock on display, fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks.

  • Kids packs at $2.50/kg with quite of number of these being heavily marked (potentially carry over stock); Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg with some light rub and Red Tips at $5.50/kg.

  • Organic clusters selling at $5.50/kg in the Organic section at this store.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.50/kg - some minor skin marking on a few clusters.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg only minimal stock, Red Tips at $5.50/kg; Kids packs at $2.50 (heavily marked) and Organic clusters (very clean and present well) on special at $5.00/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI CARINDALE

  • Count 25 NZ Hass stock priced at $1.20 each - fruit supplied by Avoco NZ/Skylark and Freshmax (DBM).

  • 6 piece packs of Hass (from NZ) were priced at $3.90ea

ALDI ACACIA RIDGE

  • Hass were on display- count 23/25 NZ Hass Avocados were priced at 99c each - fruit still predominantly green and hard.

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

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

  • On offer NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark count 23; multibuy offer priced at 3 FOR $4.00 or selling singularly at $1.50ea.

  • Fruit packed 10th Sept therefore fruit is 26 days old.

  • $4.90 on the 1kg packs - also NZ fruit.

COLES GREENSLOPES

  • A mix of Australian and NZ Hass Avocados count 25, display in trays on an end close to front entrance of the store at 3 for $4.00 or $1.50ea - supplied by Avoco/Skylark and Giofrelle’s.

  • Coles 5 piece packs retailing at $4.90ea. Organic loose hass - only 7 on display selling at $4.00ea - fruit was very ripe.

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Australian Hass supplied by Nature’s and other growers selling at $1.20ea.

  • 5 piece packs were priced at $5.50 ea.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

  • Australian Hass Avocados count 23/25 with ticket price of $1.20 ea supplied by Gill Farms Mildura (Marbiz/Simpsons); Green Nugget (Clarks) and a WA grower The Avocado Collective. Some tray labels showed fruit packed 15th to 21st Sept therefore fruit age 15 to 21 days old. Good selection of fruit ready to eat and ready in a day or two.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.50ea, Odd Bunch 1kg packs on special at $3.50 each

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

  • Australian Hass Avocados count 23/25 priced at $1.10 a piece supplied by Marbiz/Simpson’s and Nature’s fruit. The display was neat but in need of up a top up of trays at the rear of the unit. Fruit packed 20-21st Sept so fruit age is 15-16 days.

  • This store also had 5 piece Australian hass avocado packs for $4.50 ea - supplied by Simpsons.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Count 23 Australian Hass Avocados from Giofrelle’s with ticket price of $1.20 ea. The majority of fruit had green skin colour, approx 25% had developing skin colour. Odd piece found with heavy scarring.

  • 5 piece packs of Australian Hass ticketed at $4.50ea being supplied by Simpsons and one other vendor.