QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the aftermath of the flooding in the South East corner of Qld there is still a lot of work being done within the market precinct. The majority of sites have removed and dumped flood affected produce and equipment/furniture; sites have been cleaned and sanitised; pest prevention programmes/treatments are being reinstated; dock levellers are being repaired/replaced etc. Power is gradually being restored to various sites across the markets, and in some instances are having to be re-energised again as a result of further faults being found in the lines. Our office is located in the commercial centre at the front of the markets – the switchboard has been destroyed by the floods and so we are still waiting for this to be repaired and for power to be restored – hoping by this Friday. Considering everything, it has been a remarkable effort by all parties to clean and restore the Brisbane Market operation back to a position that full trading has been even possible, in a relatively short period of time.

Last week the total banana industry production was in the vicinity of 476K cartons which included a resumption of supply to the Brisbane market in the mix. The weather patterns of heat and sunshine have definitely continued but from Sunday on, the rain has returned in the far North this week. Morning temperatures have continued to be a touch cooler across all NQ regions with early a.m. temps falling within a range of 20- to 24.8C; whilst day time temperatures have also been a little milder with a top of 34.8C -within a range of 24.5 to 34.8C across the week. In terms of rainfall, up until Friday of last week, all major North Qld growing regions were relatively dry, however things changed on the weekend with Mareeba recording a total fall of 40mm; Walkamin receiving 42mm; whilst both Innisfail and Tully had much heavier total falls of 217mm and 197mm respectively from Sunday on. Cavendish banana bunch age is still in the vicinity of 14-15 weeks, with fruit quality generally found to be good overall in our packshed.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.99 to $3.29/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.

I am pleased to say that in general, Cavendish presented better than the week prior. Still a presence of heat stressed 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 good; definitely more ready to eat fruit now, than eat later options.

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 $2.99/kg; whilst both Woolies and Coles offered 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 10 - 462,345 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a 5% increase ( or some 21,615 more trays) on Week 9-2022 production – North Qld has now surpassed WA in terms of production accounting for 66% of this; followed by WA with 31% (143K). The remaining 3% came from Central Qld, Tristate and Central NSW.

· The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 462,692 trays.

· It is forecast that a total of 426K trays will be despatched this week nationally with approximately 77% of these expected to be new season Shepards.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Shepards’ at $1.19 to $1.50ea . Hass were only found at Woolworths stores selling these at $1.50 per piece, whilst independents were selling class one fruit for $2.00/piece or 2 or 3 large pieces for $6 depending upon variety/quality/size. There has been a slight easing of volumes in the southern markets but not much change to pricing post the impact of the floods. Hass pricing did come back a little with a top now of $20/tray and a range of $16 -$20/tray for premium. Shepard’s are still only fetching a top of $15.00/tray for premiums in the market; with class one Shepards’ back to $9-$13/tray.

The weather in North Qld for our Shepard crop has seen daytime temperatures ranging 24.5 to 34C with rainfall being more prevalent since the weekend. There continues to be some rainfall with regions like Mareeba receiving a total of 40mm across the week and yet other regions receiving more (42mm-91mm)- with this in mind, we structure our harvesting programme 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; on days with heavier falls we do not pick at all – it becomes a juggling act - where we try to manage the best we can with prevailing conditions.

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 $1.20 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays Shepards at $1.30 to $1.50ea (which tended to be fruit of larger size). The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm. Notable rots found amongst the Greenskin Shepards on display at one Woolworths store in particular.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Top Woolworths Shepard and Woolworths Hass'; Bottom left -Aldi Shepard and Right -Coles Shepard Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

A mixed display of Cavendish Bananas priced at $2.99/kg - some fruit found that was very dull and suffering from heat stoke; a few clusters were spotting and other clusters that were semi-colour.

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

A full display of Cavendish were priced at $2.99/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 GARDEN CITY

Cavendish Bananas were priced at $2.99/kg. Minor skin marking observed, around half the display was slightly green, but the rest had good colour. A presence of some heat stressed fruit.
$5.99/kg for Lady Fingers.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge aligning the entry with fruit selling at $3.00/kg - some minor skin marking, a number of clusters with minor neck damage. Kids banded clusters also ticketed at $3.00 ea.
Red Tips ticketed at $4.90/kg and Lady Fingers (Posma’s) with some bronzing/bruising 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/kg and Red tips at $4.90.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg. A low level presence of skin marking observed.
Red tips in stock at $4.90/kg some clusters of which were spotting and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - a few clusters with light marking and sooty mould.
Organic variety priced at $5.50/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish priced at $3.00/kg - fruit presented quite cleanly, odd cluster with scarring; odd cluster found spotting and odd clusters with sooty mould. Display was neat and full. Kids banded clusters selling at $3.00.
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 $3.00/kg - small rub, light scar and neck damage - bloom was good. Found some very long clusters on show.
Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg - generally very clean and presented in hands; Red Tips $4.50/kg needing to be refilled; Kids packs $2.50ea and Organic $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg generally with good bloom though some clusters a little dull and some with light skin marking. A few clusters found to be spotting.
Kids packs priced at $2.50ea, 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 - INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish were priced at $1.99/kg and Lady Fingers at $3.99/kg - well presented.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI