Retail Market Week 5 - 2022

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national cut for Week 4 of 2022 was 447,369 cartons which represented a 3% decrease on the week prior or 13,888 cartons fewer. The heat, sunshine and plentiful rain have again 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 19 to 24.4C; day time temperatures have been pushing close to a top of 32C with a range of 27 to 32.8C. In terms of rainfall up to Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate to heavy falls with Tully seeing 116mm; Innisfail receiving 199.4mm; and Mareeba receiving 159mm throughout the week; Walkamin topped the regions with a total of 207mm. 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 $2.29 to $2.99/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, though the Aldi displays again seemed to be worse affected by heat stress, though there was a presence of some heat affected fruit on Coles shelves as well. With the extremes of heat in the various growing regions over the last month; depending farm location, elevation and the irrigation programme being followed etc some farms have a percentage of heat stressed plants which subsequently produce heat stressed bunches. To minimise the impact of heat stress on plants, Rockridge ensures irrigation programmes are adjusted and undertaken at suitable times of the day. Fruit at these stores had a presence of low level minor dry scar; rust thrip damage; bronzing; small rub marks; rub marking and sap staining seen - also some very long clusters presents, extending the shelf perimeter. Colour was generally good with more plentiful supplies of fruit ready to eat. 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 banana ticket price at $2.99/kg; whilst both Coles offered fruit at $3.50/kg and Woolies offered fruit at $2.50/kg.








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 were as follows:

  • Week 4 - 616,202 trays which is the biggest week of the WA season and represents a massive increase of 29%( or some 138,168 trays) on Week 3 2022 production - WA production accounted for 53% of this; NZ contributed 45% (again shipping delays have impacted this proportional supply) and the remaining 2% 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 503,276 trays, which if continued will see the industry fall short by approximately 750-850K trays for the season’s original forecast.

  • It is forecast that a total of 532K 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 $1.50-$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 -$23/tray depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $14-$18.  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) --$15-$26/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 Manjimup has seen early somewhat milder morning minimum temps ranging 9.6 to 17.6C and daytime maximum temps of 22.6 to 36.2C. The weather this week whilst still hot some days is quite a contrast to the weather in the last two weeks again with minimal rain with only 1.4mm falling across two days. The available meteorological data for the Pemberton region shows milder early mornings temps of 11.6-13.3C; but days have warmed up with averages of 20.7 to 24.5C with minimal rain with a total fall for the week of 0.2mm. The flooding over the last week in SA has understandably caused major disruption to transit times, the farm continues to pack with the major impact being longer lead times for transport and subsequent ripening. We have been keeping all informed and have our ripening partners confirming when each load has been received.

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 27 days.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows:  Aldi Qld Hass avos selling with a ticket price of $1.19ea and these were featured in the Aldi catalogue this week;  Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.30 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass (large sizes) ticketed at $1.30 to $1.50ea depending upon fruit size and store location. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm.

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.

Some of the region has been experiencing more than their fair share of rain in the last two-three weeks (ranging 116 to 190mm), we are hoping this is well and truly passed by the time we are due to commence picking, so that nodule damage and body rots do not become a potential issue.






















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 - some marking on a few clusters including bronzing, rust thrip marking, scarring and rub - fruit colour was generally good.

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • A full display of Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg with fruit presenting with minimal marking. Display was quite full, few clusters found with rub, scarring, neck injury and bronzing.

  • Lady Fingers at $5.99

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge with fruit selling at $3.50/kg

  • Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Cavendish displayed at $3.50/kg. Again some light rub marking, sap stains and scarring - but generally good bloom at this store

  • Red tips at $4.90 and Lady Fingers $7.90/kg

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50/kg. The majority of fruit presented well and fairly free of marking - small rub, light scars - bloom was better

  • Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg a number of clusters found with developing bronzing; Kids packs $2.50ea and Red tips ticketed at $4.90/kg. Organic clusters $5.50/kg presented very cleanly.

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Cavendish were priced at $2.50/kg - fruit presented quite cleanly, odd cluster with scarring. Display was neat. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50 - odd clusters with light skin marking.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Organics at $5.50/kg a few of which appeared dull.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • Count 23 NZ Skylark Hass priced at $1.19 each on special. Displayed in two locations. Fruit was of mixed maturity. Packed 10TH January - therefore fruit age is 22 days

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

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Hass were on display- Count 23 and 25 NZ Skylark Hass Avocados packed 5th-10th January (22-27 days old) were priced at $1.19 each - majority of which were just yielding to gentle pressure.

  • 6 piece packs NZ Hass were on offer for $4.99ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • On offer Count 23 NZ Hass supplied by Avoco Skylark on offer priced at $1.30ea.

  • 5 piece packs at $5.50ea

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • NZ Skylark Count 23 and 25 Hass Avocados ticketed $1.30 ea . A mix of maturities - Fruit packed 4th to 6th January therefore fruit age was 26 to 28 days. Sealed trays at the rear of the display contained fruit that was rock hard. Display was positioned on the third, right hand end.

  • Coles 5 piece packs retailing at $5.50ea - using NZ fruit

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Count 20 WA Avocado Collective Hass with ticket price of $1.50 ea displayed on the A frame display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Fruit packed 17th January so fruit age was 15 days old. Fruit yielding to gentle pressure.

  • 5 piece packs at $6.00ea!!

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Another neat display of NZ Team Avocado fruit in count 23, priced at $1.30 a piece Fruit ripeness - a mix of maturities on offer. Fruit packed 6th January so fruit age is 26 days.