QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The heat keeps building in the far north week on week. Over the past week the morning temperatures have continued to be rather balmy in North Qld with all regions early a.m. temps falling within a range of 17.8 to 24C; day time temperatures have been steadily creeping up the barometer in the last week ranging 30.3 to 35.3C. In terms of rainfall up to last Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions were experienced light to moderate falls of 5.4 to 20mm. 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 469,376 cartons which is a reduction of almost 27,000 on the previous week but still solid production. The forecast for this week is expected to be in a range of 420-440,000 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 $2.98-$3.00/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 really take ownership of the the lead in production contributing a whopping 88% of the total national harvest of some 474,928 trays last week; followed by New Zealand at 6%. The remaining 6% came from a combination of Tristates; Central NSW and Tamborine/Northern Rivers. This production figure represents a decrease of some 75,000 less trays on the week prior and was equivalent to a decline of 13.7%. New Zealand’s contribution has been impacted by major shipping delays - so at some point their market share will kick by comparison to this week. Whilst talking supplies from other countries, Chile also have reported a bumper crop and are exporting again to Australia with their first shipment of an estimated 21 tonne due to arrive in Sydney late December. It will be interesting to monitor the reception to this fruit since we will still have plentiful supplies of Australian grown fruit, as well as NZ fruit on shore.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.20 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 again forecast to be in the vicinity of 500 - 510,000 trays and then the forecast is for figures ranging 480,000 trays then 390,000 trays across Christmas and New Year. The last four week period has seen an average national dispatch of 519,926 trays per week.

You will note that WA have contributed their highest proportion of the national volume to date last week (88%) which equates to approximately 418,000 trays which now becomes their 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 6.6 to 20.3C and daytime maximum temps of 19.8 to 36.8C. The Manjimup region experienced a total rainfall of 5mm last week. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows whilst early mornings are still quite cool with temps of 6.8-9C; the days are warm with averages of 20.4-23.9C with a total rainfall of 5.9mm. Whilst availability of staff due to ongoing Covid issues has been limiting our ability to harvest, this week on farm we had a few issues with the Compac grader which resulted in lost packing time of a day but that will be made up with packing on the weekend.

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 34 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. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with a range of 20-60% 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 FOREST LAKE

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $2.99/kg - some heavier marking on a few clusters including bronzing, rub - even a couple of clusters starting to spot - fruit colour and bloom were good at this store.
Ladyfingers selling at $5.99/kg - stocked in hands which customers have to pull apart Generally very clean in presentation.

ALDI MT OMMANEY

A full display of Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg with some clusters exhibiting minor skin marking including rub, scarring, neck injuries- some clusters with a tinge of green in colour.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg - sold in hands, so customers can pull apart. Again a little bronzing and rub detracting from appearance of some clusters.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge with fruit selling at $3.00/kg and kids packs were also ticketed at $3.00/kg. Some clusters with a somewhat dull appearance and long fingers.
Ladyfingers $7.90/kg and Red Tips $4.90/kg.

COLES FOREST LAKE

Cavendish displayed on an end at this store were ticketed at $3.00/kg - A better mix of condition at this store though some very full and long fingers found, odd cluster found with a bruised finger. Kids Packs also ticketed at $3.00. Still evidence of bat damage being found. Evidence of early stage, superficial crown end mould developing.
Organic clusters and singles ticketed at $3.48/kg - majority of which had marked skins. Also ladyfingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

COLES MT OMMANEY

Cavendish bananas were displayed on the barge at $2.98/kg- perhaps to match Aldi in the centre - whilst Kids banded clusters were $3.00. A few clusters with light rub marking observed but in general a well presented display
Lady Fingers were priced at $7.90/kg - heavily bronzed and Red tips at $4.90/kg. Organic at $3.48 - 3 only singles on shelf.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg. Fruit presented well presented - more Eat Now stock, Eat Later section in need of a refill.
Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg - a percentage of the stock quite green; Kids packs $2.50 ea and Red tips ticketed at $5.50/kg. Organic clusters $5.50/kg presented very cleanly.

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

Cavendish were priced at $3.00/kg - fruit presented quite clean in terms of skin marks growers included Justeatum and Howe Farming supplied by Mackays- odd cluster with some light scarring/rub. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red Tips at $4.50/kg and Organics at $5.50/kg. All lines presented well.

WOOLWORTHS MT OMMANEY

Cavendish at this store were supplied by Mackays, retailing at $3.00/kg - some small minor scars (including bat marking) 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