QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week was 394,533 cartons, a decrease of 3.1% on the previous week or some 12,585 fewer cartons. In the last week, morning temperatures have been noticeably cooler - winter has finally come to North Qld with minimums falling within a range of 8.6.0- to 15.9C; whilst day time temperatures have only seen a top of 25C -within a range of 21.2 to 25C across the week which for NQld is indeed mild. The weather has continued to be cool this week with some record breaking lows of -3.6C experienced on the Tablelands this week and the presence of frosts in low lying areas. In terms of rainfall, all regions were much drier with minimal falls of 0.2-0.8mm throughout the week. Cavendish banana bunch age is still in the vicinity of 15-16 weeks, with fruit quality generally good overall in our packshed though we continue to grade out some light scarring. Fruit bloom will be impacted by the weather we have been experiencing last week and this week - such lows cause a temporary cessation of sap flow which results in the sub-epidermal layer greying/browning which reflects outward through the peel with the fruit having a dull appearance. Whilst this does impact the fresh appeal of the banana, it in no way negatively impacts the flavour or eating quality of the fruit - in fact, winter grown fruit is normally a little sweeter as it takes longer to grow.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.49 to $3.29/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $10-$26 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well and fruit generally exhibiting good bloom - few odd clusters starting to show a presence of dull peel but believed not to be due to growing conditions at this stage. There was 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 was fairly uniform this week in comparison to the week prior with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $2.99/kg; whilst Woolies offered fruit $3.00/kg and Coles also offered fruit at $3.00/kg depending upon location of the stores visited. Fruit was presenting well with bright bloom and just minor skin marking.

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 27 - A MUCH LIGHTER HARVEST OF 254,918 trays LAST WEEK and consigned this week which represents a significant decrease of 38% ( or just over 153,000 trays) on Week 26, 2022 production – Central Qld maintained the lead in production accounting for 56% of this volume and North Qld in second place contributed 30% of this; 7% from Central NSW and 4% from South Qld. The remaining 3% is made up of contributions from WA (yes that’s right, a low volume is already trickling in) Northern Rivers/Tamborine and Sunshine Coast.

· It is forecast that a total of 347K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two weeks to three weeks is for between 360K to 375K trays per week. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 365,533 trays.

Major supermarkets were united in terms of avo pricing this week with premium Hass ticketed at $0.9 to $1.00ea . Hass market pricing has remained relatively steady this week. Prices ranging between $10-$18/tray for premium and a range of $6 -$10/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 8 to 25C whilst there have been some frosty mornings on the Tablelands with sub-zero temperatures experienced in low lying areas on a few mornings. Fruit quality from our packing shed has been good and we are still harvesting a major proportion of our crop in the count 14-18 sizing.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing though some of the hass had a low level presence of light lenticel/nodule damage relating to recent rain in the growing region. Fruit age ranged 6 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 only $0.99ea as featured in their weekly catalogue; Coles Qld had NQ Hass ticketed at $1.00ea, and Gmax selling at $2.00ea; whilst Woolworths Qld had larger counts Hass selling at $1.00-$1.20/piece depending upon store location and Gmax selling at $2.00ea to $2.20ea. 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 CARINDALE

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $2.99/kg. Fruit had developing colour, most clusters had minimal scarring.
Lady Fingers for $5.99/kg.

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

A display of Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg. A mix of colour on this display including some semi-colour in terms of condition. Some neck creasing present and odd finger found to be splitting.
Lady Fingers at this store priced at $5.99/kg. A degree of rub, minor bruising found.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

A display of Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg- a low level presence of some light minor skin marks and dry sap staining noted. Odd dull cluster found.
Lady Fingers at this store priced at $5.99/kg. Low stock.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg - fruit that was displayed in single layer on each step. Fruit supplied by DBM. Kids packs at $3.00ea.
Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg- no stock on display.

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish on display priced at $3.00/kg, as Kid’s packs also at $3.00. Majority of fruit had good colour. A few odd clusters found with dull bloom. Some minor skin marking present.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg and Kids packs priced the same. Bloom was good at this store though a higher level of minor skin marking, sap stains and rub found throughout.
Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg. Organic was also at $4.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish priced at $3.00/kg - display tidy. Kids packs at $2.50ea. Fruit presented cleanly and had bright bloom.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Organic bananas at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.00/kg - a neatly presented display- a low level presence of minor scarring and bloom was good. Kids packs at $2.50ea. Eat now and eat later options in the correct locations though Eat later area needed a refill.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Organic variety at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish priced at $3.00/kg on special - display tidy and almost needing a top up. Kids packs at $2.50ea.

Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $4.90/kg with neck damage and minor skin marking. Organic at $5.50/kg with some minor and major skin marking and bruising noted.

INDEPENDENT- GARDEN CITY

Cavendish priced at $2.99/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI