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 20.5 to 24.6C; whilst day time temperatures have been on the rise in the last week ranging 29.4 to 33.3C. In terms of rainfall up to last Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions experienced rainfall levels between 38 and 44mm respectively. 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.

The national cut last week was 491,843 cartons. The forecast for this week is expected to be in a range of 490-510,000 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 $3.00 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 70% of the total national harvest of some 493,406 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 22%; Tristates at 2.5%; Central NSW with 4%. The remaining 1.5% came from Tamborine/Northern Rivers and South Qld. This production figure represents a very slight increase of some 600 additional trays on the week prior and was 16% higher than what was forecast for the week.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $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 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 472,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 490-505,000 trays per week through until Christmas. The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 503,974 trays per week.

You will note that WA have contributed a larger percentage of the national volume last week (70%) which equates to approximately 345,384 trays which was 4K fewer trays than the week prior. The weather in the south west corner of WA has finally started to warm up a little with early morning minimum temps ranging 7.6 to 17.2C and daytime maximum temps of 19.5 to 33.2C. The Manjimup region was free of rain last week. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows warm daytime averages of 19.2-32C; they too have had a drier week with just 1mm falling across the week. Whilst the weather has been on our side, availability of staff due to ongoing Covid issues has been limiting our ability to harvest - we are trying our best to ensure the programmed orders are being filled.

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 30 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had increased their ticket price for Hass to $0.99ea; 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 40-80% 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 Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

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 BROWNS PLAINS

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.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge positioned opposite one of the fridge units with fruit selling at $3.00/kg and kids packs were also ticketed at $3.00/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 BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish displayed on the banana barge at this store were ticketed at $3.00/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 $3.00.
Red Tips at $4.90/kg (odd cluster spotting) and Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg - both lines presented well..

COLES SMITHFIELD

Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.50/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $3.50. A few clusters with light rub marking observed but in general a well presented display - some clusters found with very full fingers. Still a little bat marking around too.
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg and Red tips at $5.50/kg - both lines presented well.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg. Fruit was generally in good condition though the display was in need of a refill, very little eat later stock on display. Kids packs $2.50 each.
Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.50/kg and Red tips ticketed at $4.90/kg; Organic clusters $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish were priced at $3.00/kg - fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks- odd cluster with some light scarring/rub. Fruit displayed in their correct area ie eat later and eat now.
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 a few clusters of ladyfingers exhibiting developing bronzing.
Store was well presented and had a festive feel.

WOOLWORTHS SMITHFIELD

Cavendish grown by Mackays packed 22nd November at this store were priced at $3.50/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 from Costas ticketed 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