Retail Market Week 44

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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 18 to 23.3C; whilst day time temperatures are giving us a glimpse of summer ranging 28.9 to 35.4C. In terms of rainfall this week 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 another high production week with 546,906 cartons which was a decrease of 17087 ctns on the 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. Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.99 to $2.49/kg this week.

Cavendish in general this week presented well. Overall less marking which is pleasing with findings of minor dry scar; small rub marks; light 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 - one Aldi store did have some clusters with dull bloom.

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 both Coles 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 60% of the total national harvest of some 394,796 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 18%; Tristates at 8%; Central NSW with 7%;  and South Qld contributing 7%. The remaining 1% came from Tamborine/Northern Rivers. This production figure represents a small 16% decrease (just over 77,000 fewer trays) on the week prior and was 18% lower 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 $0.99-$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 $15 -$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-$30/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 445,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 440-460,000 trays per week through until the middle of November. The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 422,880 trays per week. If the targets projected by the industry are to be met a weekly average dispatch of 510,000 trays needs to be met from now through until the end of February 2022.

You will note that WA have contributed 60% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 236,877 trays which is less than last week with this being put down to recent weather - showery days with water tending to sit in the paddock making it difficult for machinery and hence picking has slowed. The weather in the south west corner of WA has been cool with further showery days thrown into the mix over the last week, whilst early morning minimum temps ranging 4.5 to 10.0C and daytime maximum temps of 14.9 to 22.7C. The Manjimup region experienced 14mm of rain in the last week up till Wednesday, with more rain forecast again for late in the week. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows that it has been cool with lows of 6.6-8.2C and daytime averages of 14.9-?C; they too have had rainfall across the week with a total fall of 16mm so far. This continued rainfall has the orchards being wetter underfoot which is hampering the picking process and limiting vehicle access - our own farm didn’t pick for the first three days this week. In addition to this, growers are very aware of the increased possibility of nodule damage if fruit is picked and transited during rainfall so been electing not to pick on wet days to ensure fruit quality on shelf, hence the available supply coming from WA last week and this week has been noticeably reduced.

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, though 2 of the 3 Woolworths stores visited had WA hass on offer. Fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 22 to 29 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld had returned to a ticket price for Hass of $0.99ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.50 ea for multibuy offer of 3 for $4; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.00-$1.20ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with a range of 15-90% coloured on offer and ripeness ranging from very soft; to yielding to very firm.

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

National Avocado Weekly Dispatch Vs Forecast

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 GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $2.99/kg - minor skin marking present

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

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

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

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg.

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

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

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

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge positioned opposite the deli counter were selling at $3.00/kg and kids packs were also ticketed at $3.00/kg. Kids packs varied in condition.

  • Red Tips were selling at $4.90/kg whilst the ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

  • Cavendish displayed on the banana barge at this store were ticketed at $3.00/kg - some small skin marks present. Fruit had bright bloom. Kids Packs also ticketed at $3.00.

  • Red Tips at $4.90/kg, Organic at $4.00 and Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg. Organic banana overwrap trays selling at $7.50/kg.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed on the banana barge at $3.00/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $3.00. A few clusters with light bat/bird marking observed.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg (minimal stock); and Red tips - a single finger on display priced at $4.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg. A very neat and well presented display. 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 small dry scars.

  • A full banana category on offer with Organic clusters priced at $5.00/kg; Ladyfingers at $7.50/kg; Kids banded clusters at $2.50; and Red tips for $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

  • 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. Fruit still being set up and topped up - early morning visit.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg but no stock on display as yet, Red Tips at $4.50/kg, these had good bloom

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/kg - some small minor scars/rub seen on a few clusters.

  • 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 $5.00/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • Count 23 NZ Hass priced at 99c each - fruit supplied by Freshmax and Avoco NZ/Skylark. A mix of maturities on offer. 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 $4.99ea

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

  • Hass were on display- count 23/25 NZ Hass Avocados were priced at 99c each - the majority of fruit had full purple black skin colour and was yielding to gentle pressure. Fruit supplied by Avoco, Pack date of 5th October therefore fruit was 29 days old.

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

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • Hass were on display- NZ Freshmax/DBM Hass Avocados were priced at 99c 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 GARDEN CITY

  • On offer NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark count 20/23; on offer priced at $1.50ea or multibuy offer of 3 for $4.00. Displayed on a table top aligning entry to the store and also on the second end - fruit on the end display was predominantly full colour and tended to be soft. The table top also had fruit with strong purple black skin hue. Packed date of 5th October - therefore fruit was 29 days old.

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

  • $4 per piece for organic hass avocados - fruit very soft

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

  • NZ Hass Avocados displayed on a table top and on an end unit ticketed $1.50ea or multibuy offer of 3 for $4.00 - supplied by Avoco/Skylark. A mix of maturities. Fruit on display had developing skin colour and was firm. Packed date of 5th October therefore fruit age sat at 29 days.

  • Whilst present, stock of other lines being filled and staff member was sitting empty cartons on stop of avocado table top display.

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

  • Organic Avos ticketed at $4.00 a piece - very ripe stock.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • On offer Skylark NZ Hass priced at $1.50ea or on multibuy offer 3 for $4.00. Majority of fruit had good developing 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 GARDEN CITY

  • Customers were greeted with a full display of WA Avocados count 23 with ticket price of $1.00 ea. The majority of this fruit was firm, with developing skin colour.

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

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

  • Australian WA Hass Avocados count 23 supplied by The Avocado Collective priced at $1.00 a piece - fruit packed 12th October therefore fruit age at 22 days. Fruit ripeness - firm to yielding - good mix on offer

  • Odd Bunch 1kg Packs were $4.00 ea but marked down to $2.68ea!! Still plenty of shelf life in the product.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Count 20 Team Avocado NZ Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.00 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 and Odd Bunch 1kg packs ticketed at $4.00 a bag.