QUICKLINKS

Brisbane Markets under water — Brisbane Produce Markets are closed due to another devastating flood

27th February, 2022

Followed by the clean up..... — And the aftermath… some 1,500 tonnes of produce waste to dispose of and all hands are on deck for the massive clean up.

From 3pm 1st March, 2022

The heavens opened and it just keep coming…… persistent rainfall of moderate to heavy falls, day and night, across 4 days saw storm water drains fill quickly, the river and creeks swell and before we knew, it brown waters were covering our roadways and rising. Despite this flood not being of quite the same level as the 2011 Flood, (approximately 1 metre lower than 2011) the volume of water that rained down across a relatively short window ensured water moved with pace and seemed to cause more damage. Whilst roadways were starting to close on the evening of Friday 25th February; a flood watch was issued on 26th February and it was declared on the morning of Sunday 27th February that all access points into the markets were unavailable due to the water levels continuing to rise and by later that same day it was deemed the markets were closed. Flood waters started to slowly recede Monday 28th February and by 3pm Tuesday 1st March the BML were allowing tenants access to the markets for a review of the damage and to commence the mammoth task of cleaning up so that the vital heart of Queensland’s fresh Fruit and Vegetable supply, could again start pumping.

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Despite what was taking place in the south east corner of the state, our crops continue to grow and need be harvested in the far north. Last week the total industry production was just shy of 442K cartons which is some 10,927 cartons less than the previous week. The weather patterns of heat, sunshine and plentiful rain have again been a constant 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 19.5 to 25.3C; whilst day time temperatures have been hot and humid with a top of 36.1C within a range of 29.5 to 36.1C. In terms of rainfall up to Wednesday all major North Qld growing regions received moderate falls with Walkamin receiving the most rain with some 69.4mm; Mareeba receiving 43mm; Innisfail receiving 6mm; and Tully just 0.2mm falling across the week. 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 this will continue to promote hastened fruit growth so 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 $2.99 to $3.49/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $14-$26 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

Cavendish in general this week presented reasonably well. Again there was a presence of heat stress fruit on a number of shelves. Fruit at the stores visited this week were found to have a presence of low level minor dry scar; minor neck damage; bronzing; bruising; small rub marks and sap staining. Colour was generally good but marred by heat stress in some instances, with more plentiful supplies of fruit that was ready to eat.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas with little variance this week amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at $3.50/kg and Coles also offered fruit at $3.50/kg.

BANANA SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Coles, Aldi and Woolworths Cavendish Displays

AVOCADO OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

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

Week 8 - 429,887 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a significant 16% decrease ( or some 84,590 fewer trays) on Week 7 2022 production - WA production still accounted for the majority at 62% of this; followed by North Qld with new season Shepards accounting for 33% (154K) and Central Qld at 2%. The remaining 3% came from NZ, Central NSW and Tristate.
The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 489,076 trays.
It is forecast that a total of 424K trays will be despatched this week nationally with approximately 43.8% of these being new season Shepards.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.19- $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit for $1.50-$2.00/piece or 2 or 3 large pieces for $5 depending upon variety/quality/size. Shepards were selling at $1.19 to $1.50ea. Sadly there were a few Shepards seen in store with stings and developing body rots. Within the markets at the start of the week we were seeing good volumes of Hass/Shepards with pricing continuing to be in the range of $18 -$22/tray for premium fruit depending upon size and quality of each line; whereas premium NZ fruit is fetching $16-$18. Pricing for class one fruit has remained stable (main sales) is ranging $10 -$16per tray; whilst the bulk market has been experiencing prices for premium in the range of $8 to $16 (2nds) --$18-$26/ctn for premium bulks depending upon grade, quality and count size. However by the end of the week with the Brisbane Markets closed to receivals from 26th February due to impending flooding, a number of parties elected to divert their stock to southern markets which have in effect created a flood of another type. Some agents in both the Sydney and Melbourne markets have more avocados than they need and as such the pricing has come back to a top of $15.00/tray for premium Shepards; with class one Shepards back to $9-$13/tray and we are waiting on new pricing for market bulks.

The weather in North Qld for our Shepard crop has been hot and humid with scattered showers in most growing regions. Day time maximums of up to 36C has not been uncommon, whilst overnight the temperature has dropped to 20 to 25C which is still quite balmy. There continues to be some rainfall with regions like Mareeba receiving a total of 43mm across the week and yet other regions only receiving 5-10mm - as such we structure our harvesting on farms that are dry and if it has been raining overnight, we don’t commence picking until mid-morning to allow the fruit time to dry off all in an effort to reduce the likelihood of lenticel damage.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing with pricing being one of the main variables in the major supermarkets offering based upon store location; sizing stocked and banner. Both Aldi and Woolworths stores this week were now stocking Shepards but also a few WA/NZ Hass still on offer. Coles stocking NZ hass in stores visited. Fruit age in all stores for Hass was found to be ranging 26 to 29 days - whilst Shepards age was 7 to 9 days. A number of Woolworths stores were found to be stocking both Hass (NZ and WA) and new season Shepards; with half of the display devoted to each varietal all week.

In terms of Hass retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld NZ Hass and new season Shepard avos selling with a ticket price of $1.19ea; Coles Qld had NZ Hass ticketed at $1.20 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays of Hass (large sizes) ticketed at $1.50 and Shepards also at $1.50ea depending upon fruit size and store location. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm.

North Queensland Shepard Avocados season is here….

The variety that does not change skin colour as it ripens, nor does it go brown/oxidise as quickly when cut making it the perfect selection for fresh salads and beautiful desserts.

Some of the region has been experiencing rainy periods over the last two-three weeks (in the last week ranging 43mm to 65mm) and unfortunately the forecast for the next few weeks is for more intermittent rain. We will of course be monitoring conditions and adjusting our harvest schedule accordingly, to avoid picking fruit in the rain in an effort to minimise lenticel damage.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg - some marking on a few clusters - fruit colour was generally good.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg - no stock.

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

A full display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg. Display was full, a small quantity of slightly backward fruit present fruit bloom somewhat dull and some minor marking present.
Lady Fingers in stock priced at $5.99/kg with rub and bronzing.

ALDI MT OMMANEY

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg. Minor skin marking and light neck creasing observed. Also odd cluster with superficial crown end mould developing. Again fruit bloom is dull which tends to suggest heat stress.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge with fruit selling at $3.50/kg. Generally good colour - presence of minor neck damage and skin marking.
Red Tips at $4.90/kg, Organic at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish displayed at $3.50/kg. Some light rub marking and scarring - approx. 20% of clusters with very dull bloom, neck damage and overall darkening of skin colour which is detracting from entire display - remainder of display is cleaner and of semi-colour condition.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red tips at $4.90/kg.

COLES MT OMMANEY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.50/kg. Rear of display needed refilling, a number of minor skin marks including some bruising, cut to neck and minor neck creasing.
Red tips in stock at $4.90/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - a few clusters with developing maturity bronzing. Organic clusters present but no price ticket.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $3.50/kg - fruit presented well though there is a presenc of some minor skin marking - bloom definitely brighter. Display was neat. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg - small rub, light scars - bloom was good - display needed to be topped up.
Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg; Kids packs $2.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS MT OMMANEY

Cavendish bananas priced at $1.00/kg!! Some stock with heavy bronzing and skin marking - couple clusters found with bruising. Store is perhaps clearing the previous day’s order?? Full cartons on the floor, Howe Farming, packed 14th Feb so stock was 16 days old.
Lady Fingers priced at $7.90/kg (some clusters with rub), Organic at $5.50/kg and Red tips at $4.50/kg.

INDEPENDENT STORE - MT OMMANEY

Cavendish Bananas priced at $2.99/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.99/kg

AVOCADOS AT ALDI