Retail Market Week 47

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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 16.4 to 23.9C; whilst day time temperatures have been on the rise in the last week ranging 29.3 to 35.7C. In terms of rainfall up to last Saturday both Innisifail and Tully had between 25 and 39mm respectively, since Saturday however it has been dry in these two regions. Walkamin and Mareeba have only experienced very light, isolated showers. Cavendish banana bunch age remains at 16 weeks on our farm currently, with fruit quality found to be good overall in the packshed. With the warm days the rate of fruit growth is certainly quickening and it is important for all farms to stay on top of girth measurements to ensure overall fruit length and girth is not exceeding specification. I am pleased to report that in relation to our ladyfingers the extra measures implemented on farm are starting to pay dividend. In an effort to reduce bronzing we are continuing to cut fruit a little thinner and we are continuing to cut bunches with reduced hang time - this will be an ongoing practise as we make our way around the farm and throughout the summer to assist in reducing maturity bronzing. As explained last week, to assist with reducing the sap staining as increased sap flow rates are synonymous with the warmer months of the year., 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 that may continue to flow to try and keep the fruit appearance clean - in the last fortnight arrival quality assessments are proving these measures successful and there has been less sap issues on arrival.

The national cut last week was again well in excess of 500K, with another week of solid production with a total of 532,936 cartons representing an increase of 51,186 ctns on the previous week. The forecast for this week is expected to be in a range of 510-530,000 cartons. Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.99 to $2.49/kg again this week. The markets all have plentiful supplies of cavendish with fruit selling at $4-$14 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

Cavendish in general this week presented well. Fruit was presenting quite cleanly though there was a percentage of oversize both in terms of girth and length found on all supermarket shelves. Low level minor dry scar; small rub marks; light bat/bird marking and sap staining were 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 $2.99/kg; whilst Coles offered fruit at $2.50 to $3.50/kg depending upon store location and Woolies offered fruit at $3.00 to 3.50/kg varying with store location.

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 71% of the total national harvest of some 492,802 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 18%; Tristates at 4%; Central NSW with 4%. The remaining 3% came from Tamborine/Northern Rivers and South Qld. This production figure represents an increase of 3% (just over 14,000 additional trays) on the week prior and was 13% higher than what was forecast for the week. 

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.00- $1.19 per 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 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 430,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 460-497,000 trays per week through until Christmas. The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 481,863 trays per week.

You will note that WA have contributed a larger percentage of the national volume last week (71%) which equates to approximately 349,889 trays which was 10K fewer trays than the week prior - again weather has played a part with a few more light to moderate showers throughout the past week. The weather in the south west corner of WA has continued to be cool though with early morning minimum temps ranging 6.3 to 13.7C and daytime maximum temps of 17.2 to 29.3C. The Manjimup region experienced a light 13.6mm of rain. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows that it has been experiencing cool mornings with lows of 7.1-14.2C and warmer daytime averages of 19.1-25.1C; they too have had a drier week with only a fall of 16mm cumulatively across the week. Despite these figures not sounding much by way of North Qld comparison, the lay of the land and soil types means this volume does tend to make it wet underfoot and therefore more different for machinery etc.

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 1 of the 3 Woolworths stores visited had WA hass on offer. Fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 20 to 28 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 $1.00ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with a range of 40-95% coloured on offer and ripeness ranging from soft; to yielding to very firm.





National Avocado Weekly Dispatch Vs Forecast

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI CARINDALE

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $2.99/kg - minor skin marking present - fruit colour and bloom were good at this store.

  • Ladyfingers selling at $5.99/kg - stocked in hands which customers have to pull apart - fruit exhibited a degree of rub and bronzing.

ALDI MT GRAVATT EAST

  • Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg with some clusters exhibiting minor skin marking - some very long clusters present exceeding spec.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg. Being sold in hands for customers to pull apart - well presented fruit.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

  • Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge positioned opposite one of the fridge units with fruit selling at $2.50/kg and kids packs were also ticketed at $2.50/kg. The majority of the display (both sides of the barge were backward in condition as in eat later.. Generally clean with just small areas of rub, light sap stains etc observed. Kids packs varied in condition.

  • Red Tips were selling at $4.90/kg with some clusters starting to spot; whilst the ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg - a few clusters exhibiting minor bruising on the outer whorl.

COLES MT GRAVATT CENTRAL

  • Cavendish displayed on the banana barge at this store were ticketed at $3.50/kg - A better mix of condition at this store though some very full fingers found. Fruit had good colour and presented fairly cleanly. Kids Packs also ticketed at $3.50.

  • Red Tips at $4.90/kg (odd cluster marked) and Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg - both lines presented well..

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed at $2.50/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $2.50. A few clusters with light rub marking observed but in general a well presented display - some clusters found with very full fingers.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg and Red tips at $4.90/kg - both lines presented well.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg. Fruit was generally in good condition though the majority was semi colour in condition with very little Eat Now stock on display. Random small bat/bird marks present. Growers featured in the display were a mix of Wadda’s; Collins; Howe Farming; and Dicko’s.

  • Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.50/kg and Red tips ticketed at $4.90/kg - but no stock on display as yet.

WOOLWORTHS MT GRAVATT CENTRAL

  • Cavendish (Howe Farming/Mackays/Justeatum/Wadda/Collins) were priced at $3.50/kg - fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks- odd cluster with some light scarring/rub. Again the presence of some very full fruit/clusters. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50. A lot of fruit in the spillover floor display.

  • All other specialty lines in the category were wrapped around the display from cavendish - Lady Fingers at $7.50/kg, Red Tips at $4.50/kg and Organics at $5.00/kg. All lines presented well though ladyfingers found with developing bronzing, sap staining and skin marking.

  • Store was well presented and had a festive feel.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish at this store were priced at $3.00/kg - some small minor scars/rub seen on a few clusters - relatively small Eat Later section with the majority of fruit being Eat Now - fairly neat and uniform display of single layer.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg exhibiting minor rub & skin marking, Kids packs at $2.50 and Red Tips $4.50/kg also with some minor skin marking, a couple of clusters starting to spot. Organic clusters $5/kg - with a few that were only semi-colour..

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI CARINDALE

  • Count 23/25 NZ Hass priced at $1.19 each - fruit supplied by Avoco NZ/Skylark. A mix of maturities on offer. Fruit packed 28th October therefore age is 27 days.

  • 6 piece packs of Hass (from NZ) were priced at $4.99ea - these were on special and featured in the Aldi catalogue this week.

ALDI MT GRAVATT EAST

  • Hass were on display- count 23 NZ Skylark Hass Avocados were priced at $1.19 each - the majority of fruit had full purple black skin colour and was yielding to gentle pressure. Fruit packed 28th October so was 27 days old.

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

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

  • On offer NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark count 20/23 packed 28th Oct so fruit age is 27 days; on offer priced at $1.00ea. Mounded display on a table top aligning entry to the store and also on the second end - fruit on offer was a mix of firm green to yielding fruit on top layers - display’s like this tend to cause bruising to lower layers as customers rummage through. Fruit packed 19th October so 29 days old.

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

COLES MT GRAVATT CENTRAL

  • NZ Count 25 Hass Avocados displayed on a table top (single layers in trays) and on an end unit ticketed $1.00 ea- supplied by Avoco/Skylark. A mix of maturities as both the end unit and tabletop displays had fruit with varying skin colour and firmness. Fruit packed 29th October therefore fruit age was 26 days old.

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

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • On offer count 25 Skylark NZ Hass priced at $1.00ea. Majority of fruit on the end had strong colour and was yielding and ready to eat; whereas fruit on the table top display at the store entry had good developing purple/black skin colour and found to be firm to yielding. A percentage of the fruit packed 27th October so aged up to 28 days.

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

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

  • Customers were greeted with a full display of neatly arranged Team NZ Avocados count 18/20 with ticket price of $1.00 ea. A mix of fruit ripenss available with fruit found to be yielding to gentle pressure through to firm.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.50ea and Odd Bunch 1kg packs on special at $3.50 each.

WOOLWORTHS MT GRAVATT CENTRAL

  • Australian WA Hass Avocados count 23 supplied by The Avocado Collective (packed 4th Nov so age 20 days) priced at $1.00 a piece Position of A Frame display unit was just inside store entrance to greet customers - both sides of this display containing avocados. Fruit ripeness - firm to yielding - good mix on offer

  • Odd Bunch 1kg Packs were $3.50 ea on special; Avocado 5 pack $4.50ea with only four packs on display at time of visit.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • NZ Team Hass Avocados with ticket price of $1.00 ea. The majority of fruit had purple black skin colour; fruit was yielding to firm.

  • 5 piece packs of Australian/NZ Hass ticketed at $4.50ea