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 16.1 to 20.7C; whilst day time temperatures have ranged 29 to 31.4C. In terms of rainfall all regions have been relatively dry this week with the exception of Walkamin which has experienced light rainfall most days again totaling 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 16-17 weeks on farm currently.

The national cut last week was 431,553 cartons which was a slight increase of 584 ctns on the week prior. The forecast for this week to be in a range of 430-450,000 cartons.

Most lines of displayed fruit were exhibiting small minor skin marks, some with light sap staining; bat/bird marking still being seen; and a lesser degree of rust thrip damage. Colour was generally good with more plentiful supplies of fruit ready to eat and brighter bloom than in recent times .

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied this week amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi still offering fruit at $2.49/kg; Coles with fruit ticketed at $3.50/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 Western Australia maintain the lead in production contributing 48% of the total national harvest of some 353,889 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 18%; Tristates at 12%; Central NSW with 12%; and South Qld contributing 8%. The remaining 2% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, Tamborine/Northern Rivers; and Central Qld. This production figure represents a 16% decrease on week prior and was also 16% lower than what was forecast for the week. All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.10- $1.50per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.00-$2.00/piece depending upon quality/size. Within the markets things have improved a little with volumes being somewhat tidier, premium trays of WA hass are selling in the range of $14 -$20/tray (very good quality getting a little $22) depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $10-$15 (anything with colour or out-of-date spec is selling for $6-$10). Pricing for class one fruit has also improved (main sales) is ranging $6 -$14 per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $6 to $14 (2nds) --$14-$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 390,000 to 420,000 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 48% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 170,000 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 4.2 to 10.1C and daytime maximum temps of 14.9 to 19.2C. The Manjimup region experienced 25mm of rain in the last week up till Tuesday. Pemberton region has been a little cooler with lows of 2.6-8.8C and daytime averages of 18-19.2C; they too have had rainfall across the week with between 36-40mm for the week with the majority falling on two days. 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. Stores with solely NZ stock tended to have ripe to over ripe displays with stock feeling very soft and hollow - lot of older fruit around.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass at $1.19ea; 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 $1.10-$1.20ea. 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.

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 GARDEN CITY

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $2.49/kg - minor skin marking (including rub and sap stains) present on displayed fruit and some fruit green,
Ladyfingers selling at $5.99/kg.

ALDI MT OMMANEY

Cavendish were priced at $2.49/kg with some clusters exhibiting skin marking, around 30% semi-condition.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg. A number of clusters with rub marking and superficial bruising.

ALDI TOOMBUL

Cavendish were priced at $2.49/kg with some clusters exhibiting skin marking, around 35% semi condition. Still seeing some bat/bird marking on random clusters.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas were selling at $3.50/kg and kids packs at $3.50/kg. Minor skin marking found on a couple of clusters including rust thrip, bronzing and small scars. Kids packs varied in condition with a few having quite dull bloom and skin marking.

COLES MT OMMANEY

Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $2.50/kg - 20-30% semi coloured fruit on display; kids packs were the same retail price
Red Tips at $4.90/kg, Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg small displays almost in need of a top up.

COLES TOOMBUL

Cavendish bananas were displayed on the banana barge at $2.99/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $2.99. Finding small dry scars, bat marking and some rub marking on clusters randomly throughout the display. Fruit bloom was bright.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg with some rub marking and scarring; and Red tips at $4.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg. Fruit was generally in good condition - most of the display tended to be semi condition in terms of colour stage ; some clusters with light scarring including bat marking.
A full banana category on display with Organic clusters priced at $4.50/kg; Ladyfingers at $7.50/kg and Kids banded clusters on special at $2.50. Red tips also on display for $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS MT OMMANEY

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/kg - a percentage of eat later stock displayed in the area marked eat later but Eat Now stock needing a top up, fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks- odd cluster with some scarring/rub.
Kids packs at $3.00/kg; Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg with some light rub and Red Tips at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS BRISBANE AIRPORT

Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.50/kg - some minor skin marking on a few clusters. Dried banana chips also displayed in this category display.
Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg with a number of clusters exhibiting minor skin marking, Red Tips at $4.50/kg; Kids packs at $2.50 and Organic clusters $5.00/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI