QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

In the last week, morning temperatures have been noticeably cooler falling within a range of 12.8- to 20C; whilst day time temperatures have been similar to last week with a top of 29.6C -within a range of 26.8 to 29.6C across the week which for NQld is mild. In terms of rainfall, all major North Qld growing regions have been experiencing light rain in most growing regions experienced. Both Tully and Innisfail regions received 1.4mm to 4.2mm accumulatively throughout the week. Walkamin and Mareeba experienced more sporadic light falls totalling 3.8mm for the week. Cavendish banana bunch age is still in the vicinity of 16 weeks, with fruit quality generally good overall in our packshed though we continue to grade out some light scarring. Fruit bloom at this stage is still bright but as this week we officially start winter and from here on in the weather will continue to cool and not only will we will see bunch age increase over the coming weeks and months but if field temperatures fall below 10C we may start to see a dulling of fruit in appearance.

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 $15-$29 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well and fruit is exhibiting good bloom. There was still a presence of minor dry scar; minor neck damage; as well as bronzing; bruising; small rub marks and sap staining. Colour was generally good.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas has come back a little 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 offered fruit at $3.00 to $3.50/kg and Coles offered fruit at $3.00 to $3.50/kg depending upon location of 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 21 - 462,012 trays harvested and consigned this week which represents a significant decrease of 5% ( or some 25,000 or so less cartons) on Week 20, 2022 production – North Qld maintains the lead in production accounting for 65% of this; followed by Central Qld with 30%; 2.9% from South Qld and the remaining 2.1% is made up of a contribution from Central NSW and Northern Rivers/Tamborine.

· It is forecast that a total of 421K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two weeks is for between 385-400K trays per week and then supply is forecast to lighten to approximately 370K trays/week by mid-late June. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 427,922 trays.

All major supermarkets are selling premium Hass at $1.49 to $1.70ea . Hass pricing has steadied somewhat this week, with prices ranging between $18-$24/tray for premium and a range of $14 -$18/tray for class one. There continues to be very few bulk Hass on the market currently as what is available is being used for prepacking to service the supermarkets predominantly.

The weather in North Qld for our avocado crop has seen daytime temperatures ranging 12.8 to 29.6C with lighter, more sporadic rain in the last week which has been welcomed. Unfortunately as our fruit travels and time passes we are seeing the development of some nodule damage - despite the fact that every care has been taken to avoid picking fruit when wet and to treat the fruit with due care to minimise damage - a level of lenticel/nodule damage is present. We have our ripening partners assessing fruit to specification and raising a flag if the level exceeds permissible levels to enable us to either seek a temporary variance to spec or move fruit to the market floor depending upon the severity.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing though some of the new season hass had a presence of moderate lenticel/nodule damage relating to recent rain in the growing region. Fruit age ranged 10 to 14 days.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass and Gmax avos selling this week at a ticket price of $1.49ea; Coles Qld had NQ Hass ticketed at $1.50ea and Gmax selling at $2.00ea; whilst Woolworths Qld had Hass selling at $1.70/piece depending upon store location and Gmax selling at $2.50ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to soft (especially amongst the hass, any piece with a dull hue and sun blemish tended to be quite soft).

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI FAIRFIELD

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $2.99/kg. Fruit had developing colour (about 50% on display was semi colour in condition), with minimal scarring.
Lady Fingers on display at $5.99/kg.

ALDI MT GRAVATT

A display of Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg. good colour at this store, though a presence of some light minor skin marks noted. Odd dull cluster present.
Lady Fingers at this store priced at $5.99ea - a few fingers were quite thin, not filled out enough.

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

A full display of Cavendish priced at $2.99/kg.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES FAIRFIELD

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg - fruit that was displayed in single layer on each step, a number of dry flower ends on display unit, Kid’s packs at $3.00ea.
Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg (minimally marked). Note Red Tips were positioned between the price ticket for them and ladyfingers, minimal lady finger stock.

COLES CORINDA

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg, no stock and yet steps still had dry flower ends present. Kid’s packs also at $3.50. Perhaps waiting on arrival of truck? visited 9.30am.
Red Tips at $4.90/kg a couple of clusters with neck damage and severe bruising and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg (no stock)
Organic Variety at $4.90/kg.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas, display priced at $3.00/kg - majority of stock was semi colour in condition - a little bronzing and scarring observed. Kid’s packs priced at $3.00ea.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg supplied by DBM most clusters with rub marking/bronzing. Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - display reasonably tidy, a few clusters with creased necks and some minor skin marking observed. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips on special at $4.50/kg. Organic Variety at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg - a neatly presented display - odd cluster or two with fingers that are starting to spot; a presence of minor neck damage, rust thrip damage and scarring. Kids packs at $2.50ea - a few clusters with skin markings.
Red Tips ticketed at $4.50/kg on special - odd cluster spotting, neck damage and scarring impacting fruit, Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - very clean, presented in hands for customers to pull apart and Organic variety at $4.90/kg.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Display of Cavendish were priced at $3.00/kg. Display was predominantly clean. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Lady Fingers priced at $7.90/kg, Red Tips at $4.50/kg on special, quite heavily marked and Organics at $5.50/kg quite clean but display looked rummaged.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI