Retail Market Week 1

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The heat, sunshine and rain 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 18.1 to 23.7C; day time temperatures have been pushing close to a top of 40C with a range of 23.3 to 39.1C. In terms of rainfall up to last Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate to heavy falls with Tully seeing 130mm and Innisfail receiving 139mm throughout the week; whilst both Walkamin and Mareeba received approximately 80mm each. Late in the week there is a tropical low off the coast of the far north which we are all keeping a very close eye upon. Updates to be provided if anything eventuates from this. Cavendish banana bunch age is now at 14-15 weeks, a couple of blocks still at 16 weeks, with fruit quality generally found to be good overall in the packshed. With the warm days coupled with the rainfall the rate of fruit growth has certainly quickened 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.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.99 to $2.49/kg this week. The markets all have good supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $6-$20 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 low level minor dry scar; rust thrip damage; bronzing; 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

In a nutshell the national production figures for the past few weeks were as follows:

  • Week 50 - 583,708 trays which was a 23% increase on Week 49 - WA production accounted for 75% of this; NZ contributed 20% and 5% came from Tristate; Central NSW and Tamorine/N Rivers

  • Week 51 - 528,812 trays which was a 9% decrease on Week 50 - WA production accounted for 74% of this, NZ 20% and the balance as per Week 50.

  • Week 52 - 335,628 trays which was a 37% decrease on Week 51 - WA production accounted for 63%; NZ 33% and the remaining 4% from Tristate and Central NSW.

  • The average despatch figures for the past four week period has been 492,549 trays per week.

  • It is forecast that a total of 466K trays will be despatched this week nationally.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $0.99- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.29-$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-$25/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size. 

With the primary production state continuing to be Western Australian it is pertinent to consider the weather in this region. The weather in the south west corner of WA has started to warm up a little with early morning minimum temps ranging 9.8 to 18.6C and daytime maximum temps of 23.2 to 37.1C. The Manjimup region did not have any rain in the last week. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows early mornings warmer with temps of 15.0-20C; the days have also warmed up with averages of 28-34C with a total rainfall of 0.6mm.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing with pricing being the main variable in the major supermarkets based upon store location; sizing stocked and banner. The majority of stores this week were stocking NZ stock, though one of the Woolworths stores visited had Australian hass on offer. Hass fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 25 to 33 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld featured Hass avos in their weekly catalogue with 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 $1.20 to $1.50ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with a higher percentage of fruit being very firm compared to fruit on shelf just prior to Christmas.

Shhh!…. the Shepard Avocados are almost ready.

For those who love the creamy texture of the Shepard and appreciate the fact that the flesh does not oxidise when cut, then you will be very pleased to know that the North Queensland Shepard crop is looking GOOD - fruit is presenting cleanly, size is variable with approximately 3 to 4 flower sets experienced on most farms so the 2022 season is looking very promising indeed. We are aiming to commence harvest mid-February after dry matter testing confirms fruit maturity is ready.














AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI KENMORE

  • Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - some heavier marking on a few clusters including bronzing, rust thrip marking, scarring and rub - fruit colour was generally good but a few clusters green at this store.

  • Lady Finger bananas at $5.99/kg, in hands that customers had to pull apart - again bronzing was an issue.

ALDI MT GRAVATT

  • A full display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with fruit presenting well.

  • Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg - good colour and bloom.

ALDI FOREST LAKE

  • Cavendish Bananas at $3.49/kg, all fruit on the backward side, bat/bird marking present and minor scarring.

  • No Lady Fingers stocked

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES KENMORE

  • Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge with fruit selling at $3.90/kg and kids packs were also ticketed at $3.90/kg (all definitely eat later in terms of condition). Some clusters with light bat marking; skin scars and splits.

  • Organic at $5.00/kg - only 5 bananas form the display.

COLES MT GRAVATT

  • 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. Again some light bat marking, sap stains and bronzing developing. Kids Packs also ticketed at $3.90.

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

  • Interestingly, Organic clusters on special at $2.00/kg.

COLES FOREST LAKE

  • 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

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS KENMORE

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg. The majority of fruit presented well and free of marking. Fruit supplied by Mackays; Howe Farming; Wadda Farms and Laureli Gold - with packed dates of 20-21st Dec - so fruit age up to 17 days.

  • Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg; Kids packs $2.50ea (some minor skin marking found on these clusters) and Red tips ticketed at $4.50/kg. Organic clusters $5.50/kg presented very cleanly.

WOOLWORTHS MT GRAVATT

  • Cavendish were priced at $3.90/kg - fruit presented quite clean, odd cluster with some light scarring/rub. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50 - odd clusters with bat/bird marking. Rohan Collins was the main fruit on display packed 21st December.

  • 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 could do with a refill.

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

  • Cavendish at this store were retailing at $3.50/kg - neat presentation but some small minor scars (some bat marking) light sap etc on a few clusters

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg exhibiting minor rub & greening, Kids packs at $2.50 and Red Tips $4.50/kg also with some slightly minor skin marking. Organic were also on display at this store for $5.50/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI KENMORE

  • Count 23 NZ Hass priced at 99C each as featured in the Aldi Catalogue for this week. Fruit was predominantly all very firm.

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

ALDI MT GRAVATT

  • Hass were on display- NZ Hass Avocados were priced at 99C each. Fruit packed 6th December therefore fruit age was 30 days. Loose hass featured in front page of Aldi catalogue. Again very firm to the touch.

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

ALDI FOREST LAKE

  • Hass at 99c and 6 piece packs at $4.49 each - a better mix of maturity on offer.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES KENMORE

  • On offer NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark on offer priced at $1.20ea. A few pieces with skin marking including sun blemish; pepper spot and bruising.

  • 5 piece packs at $3.90ea

COLES MT GRAVATT

  • NZ Skylark Count 20 Hass Avocados ticketed $1.20 ea . A mix of maturities - a presence of nodule damage and skin scars visible. Fruit packed 2nd December therefore fruit age was 33 days.

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

COLES FOREST LAKE

  • On offer count 23 NZ Hass priced at $1.20ea. Fruit packed date 3rd December so age is 32 days. Fruit predominantly firm to very firm.

  • $3.90 on the Coles 5 packs.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS KENMORE

  • Customers were greeted with a full display of neatly arranged count 16 Team Avocado Hass with ticket price of $1.50 ea. Fruit packed 10th December so fruit age was 26 days old.

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

WOOLWORTHS MT GRAVATT

  • Another neat display of Team Avocado NZ fruit in count 18, priced at $1.40 a piece Fruit ripeness - predominantly firm. Did find the odd piece with skin blemish.

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

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

  • WA The Avocado Collective Hass Avocados in count 20 packed 11th December so fruit age is 25 days, with ticket price of $1.20ea. Fruit yielding to slightly firm.