Retail Market Week 45
/QUICKLINKS
BANANA OVERVIEW
SUPPLY UPDATE
As expected over the past week the morning temperatures have continued to be warm up in North Qld with all regions early a.m. temps falling within a range of 17.7 to 24C; whilst day time temperatures have been marginally milder than last week ranging 27 to 33.1C. In terms of rainfall this week most major regions in the far north have been relatively dry with light falls of 0.2 to 2.4mm. Innisfail has experienced a little more rain with a total fall of 13mm across the week. Cavendish banana bunch age has come back to 16 weeks on our farm currently, with fruit quality found to be good overall in the packshed. Our ladyfingers have been experiencing a degree of bronzing in recent weeks and sap staining. Increased sap flow rates are synonymous with the warmer months of the year. In an effort to reduce bronzing we are cutting fruit a little thinner and to assist with reducing the sap staining, we have made alterations to the packing line so that the hands are clustered at the beginning of the line to allow fruit more time in the trough to assist in stemming the sap flow and we have introduced tissue paper on the crowns and an additional sheet of paper in the carton to absorb any additional sap to try and keep the fruit appearance clean.
The national cut last week was again another high production week with 541,855 cartons which was a decrease of 5051 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.
Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas varied this week amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi’s ticket price at $2.49/kg; whilst Coles offered fruit at $2.50-$3.00/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 61% of the total national harvest of some 469,066 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 22%; Tristates at 5.5%; Central NSW with 5%; and South Qld contributing 5%. The remaining 1.5% came from Tamborine/Northern Rivers. This production figure represents an increase of 19% (just over 73,000 additional trays) on the week prior and was 5% higher than what was forecast for the week.
All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.00- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $0.49-$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 up to $22) depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $12-$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-$28/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 446,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 435-460,000 trays per week through until the end of November. The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 451,675 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 61% of the national volume last week which equates to approximately 286,130 trays which is more than last week in part due to the weather being a little more friendly giving growers a couple of extra days to pick and pack. The weather in the south west corner of WA has continued to be cool though the past week but it has been drier with only a couple of isolated showers across the week, whilst early morning minimum temps ranging 4.5 to 9.3C and daytime maximum temps of 14.4 to 22.4C. The Manjimup region experienced 2.8mm of rain last Sunday up until Wednesday just gone. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows that it has been cool with lows of 5-10.2C and daytime averages of 18.7-21.1C; they too have had less rain in the last week with a fall of 5.4mm on Monday and dry since. Parts of the orchards are still drying out underfoot which continues to hamper the picking process and limits vehicle access but at least things seem to be on the improve for now. Some of the WA growers are struggling to find homes for their seconds which would normally go to foodservice businesses but due to the volumes being produced and status of current markets; this fruit is going to waste according to this story released by the ABC:
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 increased their ticket price for Hass to $1.19ea; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.00 ea; 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 20-100% coloured on offer and ripeness ranging from very soft; to yielding to very firm.
National Avocado Weekly Dispatch Vs Forecast
COURTESTY OF AVOCADOS AUSTRALIA
AVOCADO SNAPSHOT
Left to Right: Woolworths Hass, Aldi Hass and Coles Hass Avocados
STOCK IN STORES
QUICKLINKS
BANANAS AT ALDI
ALDI TOOWOOMBA
Cavendish Bananas were priced at $2.49/kg - minor skin marking present and the majority of fruit was semi to backward in condition.
Ladyfingers selling at $5.99/kg .
ALDI SPRINGWOOD
Cavendish were priced at $2.49/kg with some clusters exhibiting minor skin marking; again the majority of fruit was semi to backward in condition.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg. Little bronzing noted.
ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS
Cavendish were priced at $2.49/kg - again condition of fruit was backward not offering customers fruit to eat now.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg - again clusters found with bronzing and rub marking.
BANANAS AT COLES
COLES TOOWOOMBA
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. Some very long fingers sneaking into the packs. Bruising and rub marking observed. Kids packs varied in condition. Banana barge needed a clean and refilling.
Red Tips were selling at $4.90/kg whilst the ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg
COLES SPRINGWOOD
Cavendish displayed on the banana barge at this store were ticketed at $3.00/kg - some small skin marks present. Fruit had mixed bloom but presented fairly cleanly - a few clusters with rust thrip damage. Kids Packs also ticketed at $3.00.
Red Tips at $4.90/kg, Organic at $4.00 and Ladyfingers (3 only clusters that varied greatly in size) at $7.90/kg. Organic banana overwrap trays selling at $7.50/kg containing 3 bananas each.
COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS
Cavendish bananas were displayed on the banana barge at $2.50/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $2.50. A few clusters with light marking observed.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg (some of this was still in hands); and Red tips presented well and priced at $4.90/kg.
BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS
WOOLWORTHS TOOWOOMBA
Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50/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.
A full banana category on offer with Organic clusters priced at $5.00/kg; Ladyfingers at $7.50/kg (some of these were only semi condition); Kids banded clusters at $2.50; and Red tips for $4.50/kg.
WOOLWORTHS SPRINGWOOD
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 and major bruising. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50.
All other specialty lines in the category were displayed in baskets - Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg, Red Tips at $4.50/kg and Organica at $5.00/kg. Depending upon how many times customers pick up and put down in the basket there is opportunity for a higher resulting level of skin marking.
WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS
Cavendish at this store were priced at $2.50/kg - some small minor scars/rub seen on a few clusters. More eat later fruit and eat now on display.
One only cluster of Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg exhibiting minor skin marking, Kids packs at $2.50 and Organic clusters $5.00/kg.
AVOCADOS AT ALDI
ALDI TOOWOOMBA
Count 25 NZ Hass priced at $1.19 each - fruit supplied by Avoco NZ/Skylark. A mix of maturities on offer. Fruit packed 12th October therefore age is 29 days.
6 piece packs of Hass (from NZ) were priced at $4.99ea
ALDI SPRINGWOOD
Hass were on display- count 23/25 NZ Hass Avocados were priced at $1.19 each - the majority of fruit had full purple black skin colour and was yielding to gentle pressure. Again fruit packed 12th October so was 29 days old.
6 piece packs NZ Hass were on offer for $4.99ea - additional display space devoted to this line whilst on special.
ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS
Hass were on display- count 23 NZ Hass Avocados were priced at $1.19 each. Despite some developing skin colour majority of fruit was still firm.
6 piece packs NZ Hass were on offer for $4.99ea
AVOCADOS AT COLES
COLES TOOWOOMBA
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 predominantly full colour and tended to be soft. The table top also had fruit with strong purple black skin hue. Fruit packed 12th October so 29 days old.
$4.90 on the 5 piece packs - also NZ fruit.
$4 per piece for organic hass avocados - fruit very soft
COLES SPRINGWOOD
NZ Hass Avocados displayed on a table top and on an end unit ticketed $1.00ea - supplied by Avoco/Skylark. A mix of maturities as the end had full colour fruit and fruit on the table top display had developing skin colour and was firm.
Coles 5 piece packs retailing at $4.90ea - using NZ fruit.
Organic Avos ticketed at $4.00 a piece - stock with dark purple/black skin hue.
COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS
On offer count 20 Skylark NZ Hass priced at $1.00ea. Majority of fruit had good developing purple/black skin colour and found to be yielding end display and table top display aligning entry. Fruit packed 12th to 15th October so age ranges 26 to 29 days.
$4.90 on the Coles 5 packs - all packs contained fruit with colour.
Organic loose Hass available at $4.00ea
AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS
WOOLWORTHS TOOWOOMBA
Customers were greeted with a full display of WA Avocados count 25 with ticket price of $1.20 ea. The majority of this fruit was firm, with early stage developing skin colour. Fruit packed 20th October so 21 days old.
5 piece packs at $4.50ea and Odd Bunch 1kg packs at $4.00 each.
WOOLWORTHS SPRINGWOOD
Australian WA Hass Avocados count 25 supplied by The Avocado Collective and count 23 Team Avocado NZ Hass (packed 19th Oct so age 22 days) priced at $1.00 a piece Fruit ripeness - firm to yielding - good mix on offer
Odd Bunch 1kg Packs were $4.00 ea; Avocado 5 pack $4.50ea
Organic large 12 counts selling at $3.50 each individually banded - fruit was very hard.
WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS
Count 28 WA 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.
