Retail Market Week 3 - 2022

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national cut for Week 2 of 2022 was 521,627 cartons which represented an 11.7% increase on the week prior or an additional 55,012 cartons. The heat, sunshine and rain have been a constant again this 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 24.2C; day time temperatures have been pushing close to a top of 35C with a range of 30.2 to 34.6C. In terms of rainfall up to Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate to heavy falls with Tully seeing 256mm and Innisfail receiving 176mm throughout the week; whilst both Walkamin and Mareeba received approximately between 8 to 17.8mm. Cavendish banana bunch age is now at 14-15 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 $2.49 to $3.49/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; rub marking and sap staining seen. Colour was generally good with more plentiful supplies of fruit ready to eat. For those supermarkets offering an Eat Later line there was minimal fruit available in this condition. A presence of some dull fruit found throughout - suggest this is from the elevated heat in the growing regions over the last fortnight.

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 $3.50/kg depending upon store location and Woolies also offered fruit at $3.50/kg. Interestingly, the Aldi catalogue featured a grower on the front page holding a hand of bananas - no price special or other mention of the this line in the catalogue - perhaps this is to stimulate customer interest and is indicative of future pricing special??






BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Aldi; Coles and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In a nutshell the national production figures for last week was as follows:

  • Week 2 - 583,712 trays which was a solid increase of 74% on Week 1 2022 production - WA production accounted for 67% of this; NZ contributed 30% (a catch up from delayed shipments) and the remaining 3% came from a combination of the following regions: Tristates and Central NSW.

  • The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 455,918 trays, which if continued will see the industry fall short by approximately 700-800K trays for the season’s original forecast.

  • It is forecast that a total of 540K trays will be despatched this week nationally.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit also for $1.29-$2.00/piece or 3 large pieces for $5 depending upon quality/size. Within the markets things have remained relatively unchanged, premium trays of WA hass are selling in the range of $16 -$22/tray depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $14-$18 (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 -$14per 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 been early morning minimum temps ranging 11.2 to 21C and daytime maximum temps of 24.7 to 40.5C. In fact the region experienced 4 plus days of 40C which not only can stress the trees, it understandably slows the work rate of the picking and packing crews as well. The Manjimup region experienced minimal rainfall for the week with a fall of 0.2mm. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows early mornings warmer with temps of 13-16.6C; the days have also warmed up with averages of 27.4-39C with minimal rain with a total fall for the week of 1.8mm.

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, with Hass fruit age in all stores was found to be ranging 15 to 31 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 $1.19ea;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.30 to $1.40 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass (large sizes) ticketed at $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 SHERWOOD

  • 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 though a few clusters were quite dull (perhaps heat affected).

  • Lady Finger bananas at $5.99/kg, in hands that customers had to pull apart - mostly green in colour

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • A full display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg with fruit presenting well. Display was very full, few clusters found with rub, scarring and light bronzing.

  • Lady Fingers at $5.99, needed to be refilled

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish Bananas at $3.49/kg, minor scarring present.

  • Lady Finger bananas at $5.99/kg

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES FAIRFIELD

  • Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge with fruit selling at $3.50/kg and kids packs were ticketed at $3.50/kg. Some clusters with light scarring - including some bat marking.

  • Red Tips at $4.90/kg with odd cluster spotting, Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Organic were priced at $7.00/kg

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish displayed on a smaller barge at this store were ticketed at $3.50/kg. Again some light rub marking, sap stains and scarring - odd bruise observed.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish bananas were displayed on the barge at $3.50/kg- whilst Kids banded clusters were also $3.50. A few clusters with light rub marking observed and some very dull clusters present.

  • Ladyfingers at $7.90/kg presented cleanly; Red Tips likewise presented well and ticketed at $4.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SHERWOOD

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg. The majority of fruit presented well and fairly free of marking - small rub, light scars - bloom was bright.

  • Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg; Kids packs $2.50ea (some minor skin marking found on the one only cluster pack present) and Red tips ticketed at $4.90/kg. Organic clusters $5.50/kg presented very cleanly.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg - fruit presented quite clean, odd cluster with some light scarring and sap stains. Display was neat. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50 - odd clusters with bat/bird marking.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - some clusters with light scarring and developing maturity bronzing, Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Organics at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

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

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, a few clusters with maturity bronzing; Kids packs at $2.50 and Red Tips $4.90/kg also with some slightly minor skin marking.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI FAIRFIELD

  • Count 23 NZ Hass priced at $1.19 each. Fruit was of mixed maturity, majority however was firm. Packed 22nd December - therefore fruit age is 27 days

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

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • Count 25 Hass were on display- NZ Hass Avocados were priced at $1.19 each - majority of which were yielding to pressure.

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

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • Skylark Count 23 Hass and Darling Avos from JH Leavy ticketed at $1.19ea and 6 piece packs at $4.49 each - good mix of maturity.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES FAIRFIELD

  • On offer NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark on offer priced at $1.40ea. A few pieces with skin marking including skin blemish, ridging and and possible temperature injury

  • 5 piece packs at $4.50ea were surprisingly in stock at this store - all NZ stock.

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • NZ Skylark Count 23 Hass Avocados ticketed $1.30 ea . A mix of maturities - a presence of nodule damage and skin scars visible. Fruit packed 22nd December therefore fruit age was 27 days.

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

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • On offer NZ Hass priced at $1.30ea. Fruit predominantly firm to very firm.

  • $4.50 on the Coles 5 packs.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SHERWOOD

  • Customers were greeted with a display of neatly arranged count 16-18 Hass supplied by Team NZ and Darling Group with ticket price of $1.50 ea. A degree of skin marking present on some fruit. Fruit packed between 19th and 23rd December so fruit age was 27 to 31 days old. Fruit yielding to gentle pressure.

  • 5 piece packs at $5.50ea

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Another display of Team NZ Avocado Hass in count 18, priced at $1.50 a piece Fruit ripeness - a mix of maturities on offer.

  • Avocado 5 pack $5.50ea

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • WA The Avocado Collective Hass Avocados in count 16 packed January 4 so fruit age is 15 days, with ticket price of $1.50ea. Fruit yielding to slightly firm.

  • 5 piece packs at $4.50ea