Retail Market Week 51

/

QUICKLINKS

Best wishes to you for the festive season. We hope that you each have the opportunity to relax and enjoy this time with family and friends. We would also like to sincerely thank you for your support of Rock Ridge Fresh throughout what can only be explained as a challenging time for all and we very much look forward to working with you again in 2022.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The heat and sunshine have been a constant in the last week in far north Queensland. Morning temperatures have continued to be rather balmy across all NQ regions with early a.m. temps falling within a range of 18.5 to 22C; day time temperatures have also been steady in the last week ranging 30.2 to 34.5C. In terms of rainfall up to last Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received minimal rainfall with Tully seeing 2.2mm and Innisfail receiving 6mm throughout the week. 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 forecast for this week is expected to be in a range of 420-450,000 cartons and the week between Christmas and New Year to be in the vicinity of 300-320,000 ctns in light of public holidays. 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 $3.49/kg; whilst Coles offered fruit at $3.00-$3.90/kg depending upon store location and Woolies also offered fruit at $3.00 - $3.90/kg.



BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

With the office of Australian Avocados closing for Christmas from 20th December through until early in the New Year there is no update of national production figures available. We will catch up on this information once their office resumes activity in early January 2022. It is needless to say however, that Western Australia will maintain the lead in production throughout this period and the forecast for Wk 51 is for 480k trays; Wk 52 390K trays and Wk01/22 440k trays in production.  New Zealand’s contribution will continue throughout this period as well.

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-$26/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size. 

With the primary production state being Western Australian it is pertinent that we consider the weather in this region. The weather in the south west corner of WA has finally started to warm up a little with early morning minimum temps ranging 6.9 to 13.4C and daytime maximum temps of 17.7 to 29.3C. The Manjimup region experienced a total rainfall of 8.2mm last week. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows whilst early mornings are still quite cool with temps of 7.0-16.9C; the days are warm with averages of 22.8-27.2C with a total rainfall of 8.6mm.

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 all three of Woolworths stores visited had Australian hass on offer. Fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 12 to 30 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld continued to offer a ticket price for Hass of $0.99ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.20 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 20-90% coloured on offer and ripeness ranging from soft; to yielding to very firm.










AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - some heavier marking on a few clusters including bronzing, bat marking, scarring and rub - even a couple of clusters starting to spot - fruit colour was generally good but a few clusters with dull bloom at this store.

ALDI OXLEY

  • A full display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with some clusters exhibiting minor skin marking including rub, scarring, neck injuries- majority of clusters with a tinge of green in colour though a few clusters also found to be spotting.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg - bronzing developing and rub marking detracting from appearance of some clusters.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • 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.

  • No other variety presented in this store

COLES CORINDA

  • Cavendish displayed on an end at this store were ticketed at $3.90/kg - A better mix of condition at this store though some very full and long fingers found. Kids Packs also ticketed at $3.90.

  • Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg with signs of developing bronzing and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.



COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed on the barge at $3.00/kg- 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 - bronzing, rub and bruising evident and Red tips also had light skin marking at $4.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • 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 OXLEY

  • Cavendish were priced at $3.90/kg - fruit presented quite clean, odd cluster with some light scarring/rub. Noted some superficial crown end mould present. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50 - odd clusters with bat/bird marking.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - all predominantly backward in condition, Red Tips at $4.50/kg and Organics at $5.50/kg. All lines presented well.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish at this store were retailing at $3.00/kg - very neat presentation but some small minor scars (some bat marking) on a few clusters but the best bloom of all stores today.

  • 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.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Count 23 NZ Hass priced at 99C each - fruit supplied by Avoco NZ/Skylark.

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

ALDI OXLEY

  • Hass were on display- NZ Hass Avocados were priced at 99C each - whilst quite a number of pieces had tree colour, in terms of ripeness fruit was very firm or just starting to yield. Fruit packed 25th November therefore fruit age was 28 days. Loose hass featured in a small image bottom of front page of Aldi catalogue.

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

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • On offer NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark on offer priced at $1.20ea. All displayed fruit very firm.

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

COLES CORINDA

  • NZ Skylark Count 23 Hass Avocados displayed on the first end opposite the Deli which is just inside the entry to the department ticketed $1.20 ea . A mix of maturities - a presence of nodule damage and skin scars visible. Fruit packed 22nd November therefore fruit age was 30 days.

  • Coles 5 piece packs retailing at $3.90ea - using NZ fruit.

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • On offer count 25 NZ Hass priced at $1.20ea. Fruit packed date 22nd November so age is 30 days. Fruit predominantly firm to very firm.

  • $3.90 on the Coles 5 packs.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Customers were greeted with a full display of neatly arranged count 25 Aussie Orchards hass with ticket price of $1.20 ea. Good purple/black hue to skin with fruit nicely yielding to just firm - so perfect for customers to take home and use same day or next, depending upon intended use. Fruit packed 10th December so fruit age was 12 days old.

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

WOOLWORTHS OXLEY

  • Another neat display of WA fruit in count 18-25, priced at $1.20 a piece Fruit ripeness - firm to yielding - good mix on offer. Did find the odd sun burnt piece. Fruit packed 29th Nov to 1st Dec - so fruit age ranged from 21 to 23 days.

  • Avocado 5 pack $4.00ea and Odd Bunch 1kg for $4/bag. All stock firm.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • WA The Avocado Collective Hass Avocados in count 18 packed 30th November so fruit age is 23 days, with ticket price of $1.20ea. Fruit yielding to slightly firm.

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