Retail Market Week 30 - 2022

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week was 389,472 cartons, a decrease of 5.5% on the previous week or some 22,899 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 10.8- to 19.1C; whilst day time temperatures have only seen a top of 27.8C -within a range of 23 to 27.8C across the week which for NQld is slightly warmer than recent weeks. The weather has continued to have cool overnight temps and early mornings of 10.8-12.5C.   In terms of rainfall, most regions had minimal falls ranging 0.4 to 1.6mm 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 previous 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 this week reflected the cooler temperatures we have been experiencing both on the Tablelands and along the coast reasonably well with less bright bloomed fruit and a growing presence of fruit with dull bloom of varying degrees. 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/kg and Coles also offered fruit at $3.50/kg depending upon location of the stores visited. Fruit was presented neatly on assigned displays, there was a presence of dull fruit on show in all outlets this week.
 






















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 29 - A total of 414,082 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a decrease of 3.6% ( or just over 15,000 trays) on Week 29, 2022 production – Central Qld maintained the lead in production accounting for 53% of this volume and North Qld in second place contributed 26% of this; 9% from Central NSW and 8% from South Qld. The remaining 4% is made up of contributions from WA (yes that’s right, a low volume is already trickling in) Northern Rivers/Tamborine and Sunshine Coast. This week we should finalise the harvest of Rock Ridge Farming fruit - the team have worked hard to deliver on quantity and quality each week. As far as the quality of our fruit is concerned, it has been an excellent season with numerous industry reports finding our fruit scoring well above average.

·       It is forecast that a total of 367K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two weeks to three weeks is for similar quantities of approximately 350K to 360K trays per week. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 376,652 trays.

Major supermarkets were united in terms of avo pricing this week with premium Hass ticketed at $0.99 to $1.20ea .  Hass market pricing has increase slightly this week. Prices ranging between $10-$20/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 10 to 27C whilst there have been some cool mornings on the Tablelands. We will soon be starting with Hass grown in the SE corner of the state, namely Blackbutt, who have also experience some cool overnight/morning temps in recent weeks ranging 5-12C and daytimes warming up to 19-22C. The outlook for the season from this corner of the state is indeed positive, with fruit quality on the tree looking lovely with average sizing at this stage considered to be Ct 20-23 - harvesting should commence next week.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing 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 $0.99ea in store though the catalogue price had fruit at $1.19ea;  Coles Qld had NQ Hass ticketed at $1.20ea, whilst Woolworths Qld had Hass selling at $1.00 to $1.20/piece depending upon store location.  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 ALDI

ALDI BEENLEIGH

  • A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. Fruit had developing colour, most clusters had scarring. Some clusters with dull bloom.

  • Lady Fingers priced at $6.49/kg and very low stock.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • 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.

  • Lady Fingers at this store priced at $6.49/kg. A degree of rub, minor bruising found.

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • 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 $6.49/kg.

 

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES BEENLEIGH

  • Cavendish bananas displayed at $2.98/kg - fruit that was displayed in single layer on each step. Fruit supplied by DBM. A light presence of underpeel chill noted. Kids packs at $3.50/kg.

  • ‘Eco’ Red Tips at $5.50/kg all clusters are dull and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg.

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish on display priced at $3.50/kg, as Kid’s packs also at $3.50. Majority of fruit had good colour. A few odd clusters found with dull bloom. Some skin marking present.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $5.50/kg.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish on display priced at $3.50/kg, as Kid’s packs also at $3.50. Majority of fruit had good colour. A few clusters found with dull bloom. Some minor skin marking present.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $5.50/kg.

 

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS BEENLEIGH

  • Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - display tidy but a considerable amount of stock in cartons as front spillover. Kids packs at $2.50ea (very green). Fruit presented cleanly and had bright bloom. Some cartons with packed date of 13th July so fruit was 14 days old.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Organic bananas at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg - a neatly presented display- a low level presence of minor scarring and bloom was good. Kids packs at $2.50ea. most fruit was of semi-colour condition.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - display was tidy. Kids packs at $2.50ea.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg and Red Tips at $5.50/kg with neck damage and minor skin marking. Organic also at $5.50/kg.

INDEPENDENT- INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish priced at $2.99/kg.

 

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI BEENLEIGH

  • AVORAMA HASS Avocados count 23’s at $0.99ea. Fruit packed 11th July so fruit age was 16 days.

  • Both the Hass 5 piece and 1kg Net packs at $4.49ea.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • Dual displays of Avorama Hass Avocado Count 23/25 Hass - priced at $0.99 ea. Fruit packed 12th July therefore 15 days old.

  • 1kg and 5 piece packs at $4.49ea.

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • Purpleskin HASS Avocados count 23s at $0.99ea.

  • Both the Hass 5 piece supplied by Simpsons and 1kg Net packs at $4.49ea.

 

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES BEENLEIGH

  • Dual displays of Count 28 Hass Avocados supplied by various growers including Costa’s, Dorian Consultancy packed by Simpsons and a few carry over Rock Ridge Farms from the previous day’s trade presented on a table top display and also on an end - ticketed at $1.20ea. All fruit presented well - good selection of maturities available for customers.

  • Fruit packed dates range 15th to 19th July so 8 to 12 days old.

  • 5 piece prepacks priced at $6.00ea and 1kg ImPerfects on special at $4.00ea.

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • On offer Count 28 Hass grown and supplied by Simpson Farms; Costa Avocado; Dorian Consultancy packed by Simpsons - displayed on a table top and on an end opposite store entry priced at $1.20ea.

  • Multiple grower stickers present. Good mix of condition.

  • 5pk prepacks priced at $6.00ea and 1kg IM Perfect prepacks on special at $4.00ea.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • Hass displayed on a table top and on an end opposite store entry priced at $1.20ea.

  • Multiple grower stickers present. Good mix of condition.

  • 5pk prepacks priced at $6.00ea and 1kg IM Perfect prepacks on special at $4.00ea.

 

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS BEENLEIGH

  • Hass in count 23/25’s were ticketed at $1.00ea, displayed on A Frame single sided display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Fruit supplied by Simpson Farms packed 14th July so 13 days old, most were very firm to start starting to break.

  • Prepacks: 1kg packs at $4.00ea and 5 piece packs at $5.00ea.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Howe Farming; Poggioli and Simpson Farm fruit in predominantly Count 20 Hass Avocados ticketed at $1.00 each - avos age was 12 days with fruit packed 15th July - a nice mix of maturities.

  • 5 piece nets at $5.00ea and 1kg Odd Bunch at $4.00ea.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Hass Ct 16’s were ticketed at $1.00ea, displayed on A Frame double sided display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Growers included Purpleskin; Howe Farming and Poggioli’s fruit packed 12th July so fruit age 15 days old.

  • Prepacks: 1kg Odd Bunch at $4.00ea.

INDEPENDENT STORE- INDOOROOPILLY

  • Hass Avocados at 3 for $6.00.