Retail Market Week 49

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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 18.4 to 23.6C; whilst day time temperatures have been on the rise in the last week ranging 31.1 to 34.8C. In terms of rainfall up to last Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions were relatively dry with low falls of 0.2 to 2.6mm experience in some areas. Cavendish banana bunch age remains at 15- 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 496,249 cartons with another week of solid production representing an increase of 4406 ctns on the previous week. 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-$15 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 presence of some quite long fingers, and low level minor dry scar; small rub marks; light bat/bird marking and sap staining seen. Colour was generally good with more plentiful supplies of fruit ready to eat.

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/kg.

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 74% of the total national harvest of some 550,153 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 22%; Tristates at 2.8%; Central NSW with 4%. The remaining 1.2% came from Tamborine/Northern Rivers and Central NSW. This production figure represents a very slight increase of some 57,000 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- $1.40 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 $5 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 510,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 505,000 trays then 460,000 and 420,000 per week through until the start of the New Year. (I can’t quite believe we will be starting 2022 in a matter of a few weeks) The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 522,282 trays per week.

You will note that WA have contributed a larger percentage of the national volume last week (74%) which equates to approximately 407,113 trays which is the biggest week of the WA season to date. The weather in the south west corner of WA has finally started to warm up a little with early morning minimum temps ranging 9.6 to 13.4C and daytime maximum temps of 21.6 to 35.2C. The Manjimup region was free of rain last week. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows whilst early mornings are still quite cool with temps of 7.8-10C; the days are warm with averages of 22-34.4C. This Western Australian region also had dry weather 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 1 of the 3 Woolworths stores visited had WA hass on offer. Fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 14 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 $0.99ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.00 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass also ticketed at $1.20ea - $1.40ea for larger sized fruit. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with a range of 30-70% coloured on offer and ripeness ranging from soft; to yielding to very firm.








National Avocado Weekly Dispatch Vs Forecast

courtesy 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 - very minor skin marking present - fruit colour and bloom were good at this store though display was somewhat jumbled.

  • Ladyfingers selling at $5.99/kg - stocked in hands which customers have to pull apart - odd hand with light bronzing between fingers developing - also some fingers were very full.

ALDI STONES CORNER

  • Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg with some clusters exhibiting minor skin marking including rub, scarring, neck injuries- some clusters quite green in colour. Some clusters very long in length.

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

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • 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 - display in need of a refill. Odd cluster with developing crown end mould.

COLES GREENSLOPES

  • 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 and long fingers found. Kids Packs also ticketed at $3.50. Still evidence of bat damage being found.

  • Organic clusters $5.00/kg

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed at $3.00/kg and Kids banded clusters also at $3.00. A few clusters with light rub marking observed but in general a well presented display - some clusters found with very long fingers. Banana display unit needed sweeping to remove some of the flower ends.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg and Red tips at $4.90/kg. Odd ladyfinger cluster with heavy rub.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg. Fruit was generally in good condition and neatly displayed. Random small bat/bird marks present.

  • Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg; Kids packs $2.50 ea (but no stock on display) and Red tips ticketed at $4.90/kg. Organic clusters $5.50/kg presented very cleanly.

WOOLWORTHS BURANDA

  • Cavendish (Howe Farming/Mackays) were priced at $3.00/kg - fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks- odd cluster with some light scarring/rub. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50. A small spillover floor display. Fruit packed 24 and 25th November meaning fruit age was 13-14 days.

  • 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 $5.50/kg. All lines presented well though ladyfingers found with developing bronzing, sap staining and skin marking.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

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

  • 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 slightly minor skin marking. Organic clusters $5.50/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • Count 23 NZ Hass packed 9th November (Fruit age therefore was 29 days) priced at 99C each - fruit supplied by Avoco NZ/Skylark. A mix of maturities on offer.

  • 6 piece packs of Hass (from NZ) were priced at $4.49ea

ALDI STONES CORNER

  • Hass were on display- count 23 NZ Hass Avocados were priced at 99C each - the majority of fruit had full purple black skin colour and was yielding to gentle pressure.

  • 6 piece packs NZ Hass were on offer for $4.49ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • On offer NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark on offer priced at $1.00ea.

  • $4.50 on the 5 piece packs - also NZ fruit.

  • Avocados were back on the store specials board at the entrance to the store.

COLES GREENSLOPES

  • NZ Skylark Hass Avocados displayed on a table top (single layers in trays) on entry to the department as well as an end unit ticketed $1.00 ea . A mix of maturities as both the end unit and tabletop displays but majority of fruit was quite firm - a presence of nodule damage visible and an odd piece with ridging.

  • Coles 5 piece packs retailing at $4.50ea - using NZ fruit.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • On offer count 25 NZ Hass priced at $1.00ea. Majority of fruit on the end had moderate to full purple-black skin colour and was either just yielding or ready to eat.

  • $4.50 on the Coles 5 packs.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Customers were greeted with a full display of neatly arranged WA’s The Collective Avocados count 25 with ticket price of $1.20 ea. A mix of fruit ripens available with fruit found to be yielding to gentle pressure through to firm. Fruit packed 24th November so fruit age was 14 days.

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

WOOLWORTHS BURANDA

  • A two sided A Frame display of NZ Team Avocados and Avoco fruit in either count 18/20, packed 12 November (26 days old) priced at $1.40 a piece Fruit ripeness - firm to yielding - good mix on offer. Three different shelf messages for customers to take note of including the idea of trying smashed avocado with some Turkey this Christmas!

  • Avocado 5 pack $4.00ea

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • NZ Team Hass Avocados in count 18 packed 13th November (fruit age 25 days) with ticket price of $1.40ea

  • 5 piece packs of Australian/NZ Hass ticketed at $4.00ea