QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Last week we saw the total banana industry production drop to 379K cartons, which represented a decline of just over 100K cartons on the week prior. The weather patterns are showing signs of change with slightly cooler mornings and peaks under 35C in the far North this week. Morning temperatures have been be a touch cooler across all NQ regions with early a.m. temps falling within a range of 17.9- to 23.1C; whilst day time temperatures have been similar to last week with a top of just 34C -within a range of 27.8 to 34C across the week. In terms of rainfall, all major North Qld growing regions experienced much lighter falls with Mareeba recording just 0.8m; Walkamin receiving 0.5mm; whilst both Innisfail and Tully receiving around 15mm across the week each. 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 though we have been grading out some fruit speckle. As we are now in the autumnal season the weather will continue to gradually cool and we will see bunch age increase over the coming weeks and months.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $1.50 to $2.49/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $16-$26 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well though there has still been a lower level presence of heat stressed fruit on a number of shelves. Fruit at the stores visited this week were found to have a presence of minor dry scar; minor neck damage; 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 $2.49/kg; whilst both Woolies and Coles offered fruit at $2.50/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 12 - 479,189 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents an 0.37% decrease ( or some 1,798 less cartons) on Week 11 -2022 production – North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 61.5% of this; followed by WA with 21.4%; then Central Qld at 16.8% and Central NSW with the remaining 0.3%.

· The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 465,813 trays.

· It is forecast that a total of 404K trays will be despatched this week nationally,

All major supermarkets are selling premium Shepards’ at $1.00 to $1.20ea . Hass, new season NQ fruit, were found at Woolworths stores selling these at $1.80 per piece and Coles for $1.20, though there is a difference in size of fruit; whilst independents were selling class one larger WA fruit for $2.00/piece or 3 large pieces for $6 depending upon variety/quality/size. Hass pricing did remained steady 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 $10.00-$14.00/tray for premiums in the market; with class one Shepards’ back to $7-$10/tray.

The weather in North Qld for our Shepard crop has seen daytime temperatures ranging 17.9 to 33.5C with rain showers being isolated throughout the week. There continues to be varying levels of rainfall across regions like Mareeba who received a total of 0.8mm across the week and yet other regions receiving 2mm-6mm.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing with pricing being a consistent offer across major supermarkets - the variation this week was noted in the sizing stocked by each banner. All three major supermarkets are now stocking new season Shepards, Fruit age for Shepards age was 6 to 18 days; whilst new season Hass tended to be around 8 days old. 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. Coles this week were also found to be stocking new season Autumn Hass.

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 both NQ Shepards and new season Autumn Hass ticketed at $1.20 ea; and Woolworths Qld had prominently positioned instore displays Shepards at $1.00 to $1.20ea and new season NQ Hass ticketed at $1.80ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm.

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 GARDEN CITY

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $2.49/kg - a few dull clusters found throughout the display; also a presence of minor skin marking, but overall an improvement on recent displays..
Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg, no stock on display

ALDI CARINDALE

A display of Cavendish were priced at $2.49/kg. approximately 40% of the display was slightly backward - again a presence of minor skin marking noticed.
Lady Fingers no where to be found.

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

A full display of Cavendish priced at $2.49/kg. Display was good in respects to colour - a presence of some minor skin marking and minor neck damage noticed.
Probably the cleanest stock of the three stores this week.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas displayed on the banana barge at the rear of the produce department with fruit selling at $2.50/kg - a few very dull clusters observed scattered throughout this display; some minor skin marking including bronzing, rub and scarring. Kids banded clusters also ticketed at $2.50 ea.
Red Tips ticketed at $4.90/kg and Lady Fingers with some bruising at $7.90/kg.

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish displayed at $2.50/kg - display consisted of approximately 55% some semi-colour fruit and 45% coloured; bloom was good though there was a few clusters with a dull hue. Some light rub marking and minor scarring. Kid’s packs also at $2.50.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red tips at $4.90/kg - both slightly green.

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish bananas, single layer display priced at $2.50/kg. A low level presence of skin marking including, sap stains, neck injuries and superficial bruising observed.
Red tips in stock at $4.90/kg (again a couple of clusters with major bruising) and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish priced at $2.50/kg - fruit presented quite cleanly, odd cluster with scarring; definite eat now and eat later sections found on this display.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg - also a number of clusters with rub and skin marking.
Organic variety priced at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50/kg - small rub, light scar and neck damage - bloom was good.
Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg - generally clean and presented in hands
Red Tips priced at $4.90/kg and Organic variety at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

A neat, single layer display of Cavendish were priced at $2.50/kg. Display was predominantly clean - low level presence of minor scarring. Kids banded packs with some minor scarring also priced at $2.50.
Lady Fingers in stock priced at $7.90/kg with noticeable bronzing, rub and scarring, Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Organics at $4.50/kg.

INDEPENDENT STORE - GARDEN CITY

Cavendish were priced at $1.50/kg- well presented, some slightly green.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI