Retail Market Week 42

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the past week the morning temperatures have definitely warmed up in North Qld with all regions early a.m. temps falling within a range of 17.4 to 20.9C; whilst day time temperatures are giving us a glimpse of summer ranging 30.9 to 36.7C. In terms of rainfall this week Walkamin experienced the highest falls for the week with a total of 46mm whilst Mareeba received 27mm, Innisfail 12mm with Tully being relatively dry this 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 a whopping 562,185 cartons which was a solid increase of 130,632 ctns on the week prior. The forecast for this week to be in a range of 500-520,000 cartons. This will no doubt see continued promotional activity in the banana space next week.

Cavendish in general this week presented better. Less marking in general though fruit is still were exhibiting small minor skin marks, some neck damage; and a small degree of bat/bird marking still being seen. 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 running a Eastern seaboard catalogue special with fruit priced at at $1.99/kg; Both Coles and Woolies stores in the centres visited rallied to meet this special and had ticketed prices of $2.00-$3.00/kg depending upon store location and proximity to an Aldi store. 

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 57% of the total national harvest of some 470,624 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 16%; Tristates at 11%; Central NSW with 9%;  and South Qld contributing 5%. The remaining 2% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, and Tamborine/Northern Rivers. This production figure represents a staggering 33% increase on week prior and was also 4% higher 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 remained relatively unchanged, 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 remained stable (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 420,000 to 440,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging in the range of 500-530,000 trays for the last week of October followed by a couple of weeks of between 420-440K per week for the next fortnight thereafter. You will note that WA have contributed 57% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 268,000 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 7.2 to 13.6C and daytime maximum temps of 16.1 to 27.2C. The Manjimup region experienced 19.2mm of rain in the last week up till Wednesday, with more rain expected late week. Pemberton region has been a little cooler with lows of 6-12.2C and daytime averages of 17.3-27.2C; they too have had rainfall across the week with a total fall of 22mm. Growers are very aware of the increased possibility of nodule damage if fruit is picked and transited during rainfall so structure their week to minimalize 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. NZ stock was older fruit with age ranging 27-29 days; whilst Woolworths stores had a percentage of Australian fruit and therefore fruit was fresher with fruit age ranging 10 to 19 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld had Hass at $1.29ea;  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-$1.30ea. 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 $5.99ea ; 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.









information 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 BROWNS PLAINS

  • Cavendish Bananas were ON SPECIAL, priced at $1.99/kg - minor skin marking and some fruit green

  • Ladyfingers selling at $5.99/kg.

ALDI CARINDALE

  • Cavendish were priced at $1.99/kg with some clusters exhibiting skin marking; fruit bloom tended to be slightly dull.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg. A number of clusters with minor rub marking.

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish were priced at $1.99/kg with some clusters exhibiting skin marking, still seeing some bat/bird marking on random clusters.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg - again clusters found with rub marking throughout.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

  • Cavendish bananas were selling at $2.00/kg and kids packs at $2.00/kg - display on both sides of the barge were in need of a refill. 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.

  • Red Tips were selling at $4.90 in an off location metal wash tub with false bottom and ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg but not stock within this display.

COLES CARINDALE

  • Cavendish at this store were ticketed at $3.00/kg - 40-50% semi coloured fruit on display; kids packs were the same retail price.

  • Red Tips, exhibiting moderate to heavy skin marking, selling at $4.90/kg, Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg, this line having cleaner presentation.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed on the banana barge at $2.00/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $2.00 (but no stock on display). Fruit bloom was bright. Display in need of a refill.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg with some rub marking and scarring; and Red tips (one only cluster) at $4.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $2.00/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 $5.50/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 CARINDALE

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $2.00/kg - fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks- odd cluster with some scarring/rub.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg with some light rub and Red Tips at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $2.00/kg - some minor skin marking on a few clusters and there tended to be a mix of fruit across the eat now and eat later sections.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg with a number of clusters exhibiting minor skin marking, Red Tips at $4.50/kg; Kids packs at $3.00 and Organic clusters $5.50/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

  • Count 23 NZ Hass priced at $1.29 each - fruit supplied by Avoco NZ/Skylark. Packed date of 22nd Sept thereby meaning fruit was 28 days old. Loose hass were displayed in two areas within the produce aisle.

  • 6 piece packs of Hass (from NZ) were priced at $5.99ea

ALDI CARINDALE

  • Hass were on display- count 23/25 NZ Hass Avocados were priced at $1.29 each - loose fruit available in various stages of ripeness. Fruit supplied by Freshmax/DBM, packed 21st Sept thereby fruit is 29 days old. Whilst a good percentage of the fruit was just yielding there were also some pieces that were very firm on display.

  • 6 piece packs NZ Hass were on offer for $5.99ea.

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • Hass were on display- count 23 NZ Freshmax/DBM Hass Avocados were priced at $1.29 each. A good mix of condition in terns of ripeness.

  • 6 piece packs NZ Hass were on offer for $5.99ea

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

  • On offer NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark count 23/25; multibuy offer priced at 3 FOR $4.00 or selling singularly at $1.50ea. Displayed on the first end closest to the bakery and also on a table top (fruit on this display green and very firm).

  • Fruit packed 21st Sept therefore fruit is 29 days old - a good mix of fruit maturity on display but also a presence of both some soft and very firm fruit.

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

  • $4 per piece for organic hass avocados - top fruit very soft and somewhat hollow.

COLES CARINDALE

  • NZ Hass Avocados displayed on an end unit ticketed 3 for $4.00 or $1.50ea - supplied by Avoco/Skylark. A mix of maturities; a few pieces with skin blemishing and sun damage.

  • Coles 5 piece packs retailing at $4.90ea.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • On offer NZ Hass on multibuy offer priced at 3 FOR $4.00 or selling singularly at $1.50ea. Fruit displayed on an end. Good mix of fruit maturity on offer.

  • $4.90 on the Coles 5 packs - only three packs on display.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

  • WA Hass Avocados count 28 with ticket price of $1.10 ea supplied by Avocado Collective. Some tray labels showed fruit packed 1st October therefore fruit aged up to 19 days old. The majority of this fruit was quite soft to touch and needed to be used/eaten.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.50ea, Odd Bunch 1kg packs on special at $3.90 each and organic loose hass ticketed at $3.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

  • Australian Hass Avocados count 23 supplied by Giofrelle’s priced at $1.20 a piece. The display was neat, fruit packed 10th October so fruit age is 10 days. Fruit maturity was just yielding to firm in terms of ripeness.

  • Five piece nets supplied by Simpsons and one other vendor were sound and ticketed at $4.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Larger Count 16/18 Australian Hass Avocados from Giofrelle Growers with ticket price of $1.30 ea. The majority of fruit had purple black skin colour, and fruit was soft to yielding. a few pieces with some sun bleaching and odd piece with shape deformity.

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