QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week was 412,371 cartons, an increase of 4.5% on the previous week or some 17,838 additional 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 4.7- to 18.5C; whilst day time temperatures have only seen a top of 26.9C -within a range of 19.1 to 26.9C across the week which for NQld is indeed mild. The weather has continued to have cold overnight temps and early mornings of 3.0-7.7C. In terms of rainfall, most regions had light falls ranging 0.2 to 13.4mm, though Innisfail was the exception with a total of 39.8mm falling across the week. Cavendish banana bunch age is now falling in the vicinity of 16-17 weeks, with fruit quality generally good overall in our packshed though we now seeing the presence of underpeel chill after the last two weeks of cold overnight and morning lows as well as some light scarring. Fruit bloom will be impacted by the weather we have been experiencing - 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 $2.99 to $3.49/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $14-$28 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

The presentation of Cavendish presented reasonably well and fruit generally exhibiting good bloom - though there is a growing presence of winter chill affected fruit. 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 $3.49/kg; whilst Woolies offered fruit $3.50 - $3.90/kg and Coles also offered fruit at $3.50 - $3.90/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 28 - A total of 429,536 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a significant increase of 68% ( or just over 174,000 trays) on Week 27, 2022 production – Central Qld maintained the lead in production accounting for 50% of this volume and North Qld in second place contributed 35% of this; 5% from Central NSW and 5% from South Qld. The remaining 5% 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 383K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two weeks to three weeks is for similar quantities of 380K to 384K trays per week and in the next fortnight after this it is forecast figures to drop to 350K. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 366,406 trays.

Major supermarkets were united in terms of avo pricing this week with premium Hass ticketed at $1.20 to $1.29ea . Hass market pricing has remained relatively steady this week. Prices ranging between $10-$19/tray for premium and a range of $8 -$12/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 4.7 to 26C whilst there have been some frosty mornings on the Tablelands with single digit 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 a couple of lines of hass had a low level presence of light lenticel/nodule damage relating to recent rain in the growing region. Fruit age ranged 8 to 16 days.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had Hass selling this week at a ticket price of $1.29ea; Coles Qld had NQ Hass ticketed at $1.20ea, and Gmax selling at $2.00ea; whilst Woolworths Qld had Hass selling at $1.00 to $1.20/piece depending upon store location and Gmax selling at $2.00ea. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to just about ready to eat.

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 LOGANHOLME

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. Fruit had developing colour, most clusters had minimal scarring.

ALDI SPRINGWOOD

A display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/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

A display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg- a low level presence of some light minor skin marks and dry sap staining noted. Most of the display was green and dull.
Lady Fingers at this store priced at $5.99/kg.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES LOGANHOLME

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.50/kg - fruit that was displayed in single layer on each step. Fruit supplied by DBM. A light presence of underpeel chill noted.
‘Eco’ Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg. Organic at $4.90/kg.

COLES SPRINGWOOD

Cavendish on display priced at $3.90/kg, as Kid’s packs also at $3.90. 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. Organic also at $4.90/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS LOGANHOLME

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - display tidy but a considerable amount of stock in cartons as front spillover. 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 SPRINGWOOD

Cavendish bananas priced at $3.90/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.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red Tips at $4.90/kg and Organic variety at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS

Cavendish priced at $3.00-3.50/kg - two different price tickets on display?? - display was tidy. 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.

INDEPENDENT- LOGANHOLME

Cavendish priced at $3.49/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI