QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Last week we saw the total banana industry production lift slightly to 389K cartons, which represented an increase of just over 9K cartons on the week prior. The weather patterns are showing signs of change with slightly cooler mornings and peaks under 33C 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 16.2- to 22.9C; whilst day time temperatures have been similar to last week with a top of just 33.6C -within a range of 28.7 to 33.6C across the week. In terms of rainfall, all major North Qld growing regions were relatively dry with only the Tully region receiving a light 1.2mm across the week. 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 continue to grade 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 $0.99 to $3.00/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $12-$22 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well. 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 13 - 421,626 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a 12% decrease ( or some 57,563 less cartons) on Week 12 -2022 production – North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 63% of this; followed by WA with 22%; then Central Qld at 14.8% and Central NSW with the remaining 0.2%.

· The average industry dispatch per week over the last four week period has been 441,606 trays.

· It is forecast that a total of 363K trays will be despatched this week nationally,

All major supermarkets are selling premium Shepards’ at $1.19 to $1.30ea . 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/NQ Hass for $2.00/piece or 3 large pieces for $5 and loose Shepards at $0.99 cents each and a 4 piece prepack for $2.99 - 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 16.2to 33.6C with dry conditions which is great for picking.

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 13 to 15 days; whilst new season Hass tended to be around 8 days old. A number of Woolworths stores are stocking NQ Hass and new season Shepards; with half of the display devoted to each varietal. Coles likewise are offering both new season Autumn Hass (NQ) and Shepards side by side at the same price.

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 $1.30ea and new season NQ Hass ticketed at $1.80ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to firm. There was a greater proportion of Hass yielding than the Shepards in general.

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 FOREST LAKE

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 and bronzing - a few very long clusters.
Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg, in hands customers had to pull apart.

ALDI COOPAROO

A display of Cavendish were priced at $2.49/kg. approximately 40% of the display were very gray and marked which detracted from the entire presentation - again a presence of skin marking noticed.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99 in the ‘super saver’ section, these had rub marking and skin scarring.

ALDI MT OMMANEY

A full display of Cavendish priced at $2.49/kg. Display was dull in respects to colour - a presence of some minor skin marking and minor neck damage noticed. Display was rather jumbled. Mixed condition of fruit.
Lady Fingers again quite bruised and priced at $5.99/kg.

ALDI DREWVALE

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $2.49/kg - 50% green clusters; also a presence of minor skin marking, but overall an improvement on other Aldi displays this week.
Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg, these were also green but beautiful condition, in hands customers had to pull apart.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES FOREST LAKE

Cavendish bananas displayed 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.

COLES COOPAROO

Cavendish displayed at $2.50/kg - display needed to be refilled with stock; 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.
Red tips at $4.90/kg.

COLES MT OMMANEY

Cavendish bananas, 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, a few clusters at the front of the display that were very dull and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg.
Organic variety were also on display, priced at $4.50/kg, these were slightly green.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS FOREST LAKE

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.

WOOLWORTHS COOPAROO

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg - small rub, light scar and neck damage - bloom was good. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Ladyfingers ticketed at $7.90/kg - low stock.
Red Tips priced at $4.90/kg and Organic variety at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS MT OMMANEY

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 priced at $1.00ea!!
Lady Fingers in stock priced at $7.90/kg with noticeable bronzing, rub and scarring and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

INDEPENDENT STORE - MT OMMANEY

Cavendish were priced at $1.49-$1.99/kg- well presented.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI