QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Whilst the mammoth task of clean up post the flooding in the South East corner of Qld and Northern NSW is well underway it by no means complete. A number of the Brisbane Market wholesalers have managed to re-open for trade, even if it is in a restricted version, since Monday 7th March; however many are operating in recovery mode with further tasks involving cleaning, sanitising, having power restored, equipment cleaned, serviced and or replaced be undertaken; and as such it will be a few weeks until things are truly back to normal.

Last week the total banana industry production was in the vicinity of 420K cartons and as a result of the recent floods in Brisbane, road closures and market agents busy with clean up, a higher percentage of the fruit was directed to southern markets as was the case with many other commodities. The weather patterns of heat and sunshine have definitely continued but the rain has slowed somewhat in the far North this week. Morning temperatures have continued to be rather balmy across all NQ regions with early a.m. temps falling within a range of 21 to 25.8C; whilst day time temperatures have been hot and humid with a top of 36C within a range of 33 to 36.1C. In terms of rainfall, up to Wednesday, all major North Qld growing regions received only scattered showers, if any, with Walkamin receiving the most rain with 9mm recorded; Mareeba receiving 1.2mm; whilst both Innisfail and Tully surprisingly had no rain at all last week. Cavendish banana bunch age is now at 14-15 weeks, with fruit quality generally found to be good overall in the packshed.

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 rather poorly. Again there was a stronger 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 was prevalent; as well as bronzing; bruising; small rub marks and sap staining. Colour was generally mixed as a number of displays were marred by heat stress; definitely more ready to eat fruit now, before we have to throw it in the bin.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas with little variance this week in comparison to the week prior and amongst the major supermarkets with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at $3.50/kg - though Coles were offering fruit at $3.00/kg at the stores visited.

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 9 - 440,730 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a 3% increase ( or some 10,843 more trays) on Week 8 2022 production - WA production still narrowly accounted for the majority at 47.2% of this; followed by North Qld with new season Shepards accounting for 47.02% (161K). The remaining 6% came from Central Qld and NZ.
The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 470,690 trays.
It is forecast that a total of 416K trays will be despatched this week nationally with approximately 63.8% of these being new season Shepards.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Shepards’ at $1.19 to $1.50ea - though Coles were offering a multibuy deal of 2 for $2.00. Hass were only found at Woolworths stores selling at $1.80 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. Whilst the Brisbane markets are still getting back on their feet, the southern markets are struggling with the volume of fruit that have been directed their way as a result of the floods and as such the pricing has fallen on Shepard’s in particular. Hass pricing continues to be in the range of $18 -$22/tray for premium but this is not expected to hold. Shepard’s are fetching a top of $15.00/tray for premiums; 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 have only received 5-10mm - with this in mind, we structure our harvesting on our farms to suit the prevailing weather conditions ie 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. All three major supermarkets are now stocking new season Shepards, Fruit age for WA Hass was found to be in the vicinity of 16 days - whilst Shepards age was 7 to 13 days. A number of Woolworths stores were continuing to stock both Hass (WA) and new season Shepards; with half of the display devoted to each varietal.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had new season Shepard avos selling with a ticket price of $1.19ea; Coles Qld had Shepards ticketed at $1.30 ea or a multibuy deal of 2/$2.00; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays Shepards at $1.50ea which tended to be fruit of larger size. 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: Top Woolworths Shepard and Woolworths Hass'; Bottom Aldi Shepard and Coles Shepard Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI FAIRFIELD

An abhorrent display of Cavendish Bananas priced at $3.49/kg - fruit was spotting, very dull, and blackening with heavily marked clusters - fruit was quite ripe.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg - a few semi-colour clusters present.

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.
Lady Fingers in stock priced at $5.99/kg - most clusters with a presence or bronzing and rub.

ALDI CANNON HILL

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $3.49/kg with some clusters spotting - display was in need of a tidy and refill. Minor skin marking and light neck creasing also observed.
$5.99/kg for Lady Fingers - were backward and being sold in hands that customers would have to break apart. There appeared to be a little sooty mould present.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES FAIRFIELD

Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge with fruit selling at $3.00/kg - a lot of dull fruit with neck injuries and skin marking - some clusters very dark in appearance.
Red Tips also quite heavily marked at $4.90/kg and Lady Fingers with some bronzing at $7.90/kg.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish displayed at $3.00/kg. A better display with bloom of fruit brighter though still a presence of some semi-colour fruit with a dull hue. Some light rub marking and minor neck creasing.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/k and Red tips at $4.90.

COLES CANNON HILL

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg and kids packs also priced the same. A low level presence of early stage crown end mould on some clusters, minor skin marking also observed.
Red tips in stock at $4.90/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - a few clusters with light marking.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS FAIRFIELD

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - fruit presented quite cleanly, odd cluster with scarring. Display was neat but a little bare. Kids banded clusters selling at $2.50.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Organic at $5.50/kg and Red Tips at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg - small rub, light scars and again a presence of neck creasing- bloom was good.
Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg; Kids packs $2.50ea and Organic $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS CANNON HILL

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg generally with good bloom though some clusters a little dull and some with light skin marking.
Lady Fingers priced at $7.90/kg (some clusters with rub), Organic at $5.50/kg and Red tips at $4.50/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI