Retail Market Week 43

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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 16.9 to 23.3C; whilst day time temperatures are giving us a glimpse of summer ranging 30.5 to 33.6C. In terms of rainfall this week Walkamin experienced the highest falls for the week with a total of 46mm whilst all other major regions in the far north have been dry again this week. Banana bunch age has come back to 16 weeks on our farm currently, with fruit quality found to be good overall in the packshed.

The national cut last week was again a BIG WEEK with another whopping 563,993 cartons which was a small increase of 1808 ctns on what was a big week prior. The forecast for this week to be in a range of 500-520,000 cartons. This should see continued promotional activity in the banana space next week on retail shelves.

Cavendish in general this week presented well. The usual minor marking with findings of dry scar; rub marks; some neck damage; and a small degree of bat/bird marking still being seen. A little more sap staining being seen this week. 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’s ticket price lifting after last week’s special to $2.99/kg; whilst Coles had fruit at $3 to $3.50/kg and Woolies offered fruit at $3.00/kg in the centres visited.

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 63% of the total national harvest of some 472,212 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 17%; Tristates at 9%; Central NSW with 5%;  and South Qld contributing 5%. The remaining 1% came from a combination of the following regions Sunshine Coast, and Tamborine/Northern Rivers. This production figure represents a small 1% increase on the week prior and was 7% higher than what was forecast for the week.  All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.00- $1.30per 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 480,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging in the range of 430-440,000 trays for the first few weeks of November. You will note that WA have contributed 63% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 297,494 trays which has been their biggest week of the season to date. The weather in the south west corner of WA has been cool with a few showery days thrown into the mix last week, whilst early morning minimum temps ranging 4.0 to 10.9C and daytime maximum temps of 15.2 to 22.6C. The Manjimup region experienced 11mm of rain in the last week up till Wednesday, with more rain forecast again for later in the week. Pemberton region has also been cool with lows of 6.6-10.5C and daytime averages of 14.9-24.9C; they too have had rainfall across the week with a total fall of 21mm. 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; sizing stocked and banner. The majority of stores this week were stocking NZ stock with fruit age ranging 19 to 29 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 $1.00 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.20-$1.30ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with a range of 30-100% coloured on offer and ripeness ranging from very soft; to yielding to very firm - in a couple of stores it was all or nothing by way of extremes.

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 where stocked the 1kg Odd Bunch ticketed at $4.00/bag.










AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI KENMORE

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $2.99/kg - minor skin marking present on 50% of clusters - only half the stepped display area covered.

  • Ladyfingers selling at $5.99/kg - size of fingers were very long.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg with some clusters exhibiting minor skin marking and some sap staining, fruit bloom was bright.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg with some clusters exhibiting minor rub and scarring, fruit condition a little mixed.

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

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES KENMORE

  • Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge positioned opposite the deli counter were selling at $3.50/kg and kids packs were also ticketed at $3.50/kg. Minor skin marking found on a couple of clusters including neck damage, rub marking and minor bruising. Kids packs varied in condition.

  • Red Tips were selling at $4.90/kg and these had a degree of skin marking on the outer whorl whilst the ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg were cleaner in presentation but on the backward side.

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish displayed on the banana barge at this store were ticketed at $3.00/kg - some small skin marking but an improvement on recent weeks. Fruit had bright bloom. Two only Kids Packs also ticketed at $3.00.

  • Also part of the category - Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg - the fingers in particular having good presentation.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed on the banana barge at $3.00/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $3.00. The majority of the display was semi-colour in terms of condition.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg; and Red tips with some rub marking; scarring and sugar spotting priced at $4.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS KENMORE

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg. Fruit was generally in good condition - and displayed in its relevant section ie Eat Now and Eat Later; some clusters with very light scarring including bat marking and sap stains.

  • A full banana category on offer with Organic clusters priced at $5.50/kg; Ladyfingers at $6.90/kg; Kids banded clusters at $2.50; and Red tips for $4.50/kg. Plenty of fruit on the floor in front of the main display.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/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 SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/kg - some minor bat marking seen on a few clusters. Mainly fruit in the Eat Later section.

  • Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg with a number of clusters exhibiting minor skin marking, Red Tips at $4.50/kg; Kids packs at $2.50 and Organic clusters $5.50/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI KENMORE

  • Count 23 NZ Hass priced at $1.29 each - fruit supplied by Freshmax and Avoco NZ/Skylark. Loose hass were displayed in a three tray x two deep area within the produce aisle.

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

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • Hass were on display- count 23/25 NZ Hass Avocados were priced at $1.29 each - the majority of fruit had full purple black skin colour and was yielding to quite soft. Fruit supplied by Avoco,

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

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • 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 KENMORE

  • On offer NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark count 20/23; on offer priced at $1.00ea. Displayed on a table top aligning entry to the store and also on the second end - fruit on the end display was full colour and tended to be soft. The table top had fruit with green skin colour through to purple black. Fresh fruit being stacked on table top at time of visit packed 28th Sept meaning fruit age is 29 days.

  • $4.90 on the 5 piece packs - also NZ fruit.

  • $4 per piece for organic hass avocados - top fruit very soft and a couple of pieces rotting.

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • NZ Hass Avocados displayed on a table top and on an end unit ticketed $1.00ea - supplied by Avoco/Skylark. A mix of maturities.

  • Coles 5 piece packs retailing at $4.90ea - using NZ fruit.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • On offer NZ Hass priced at $1.00ea. Fruit displayed on an end. Majority of fruit had good purple/black skin colour and found to be yielding..

  • $4.90 on the Coles 5 packs - all packs contained fruit with colour.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS KENMORE

  • First image below was taken upon entering store. Customers were greeted with a full display of Team Avocado NZ Hass Avocados count 18 with ticket price of $1.30 ea supplied by JH Leavy and Co, complete with spillover. Tray labels applied by JH Leavy on some trays showed fruit packed 8th October therefore fruit age of 19 days but other trays with Team applied label showed fruit packed 28th Sept so fruit age was 29 days. The majority of this fruit was firm, though skin colour was developing in some trays.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.50ea and Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $4.00 each.

  • Avocado mini 550g pack was an organic offering - no price ticket could be found.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Australian WA Hass Avocados count 23 supplied priced at $1.20 a piece. Finding the majority of this display was a deep purple black in terms of skin colour and very soft.

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Count 20 Team Avocado NZ Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.20 ea. The majority of fruit had developing purple black skin colour; fruit was firm to yielding.

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