Retail Market Week 35 - 2022

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE


National transport figures for last week were approximately 450,000 cartons. As stated last week, we expect overall production to start increasing steadily with each week as the weather is progressively warming with the commencement of spring only a couple of weeks away. As far as weather conditions this week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures ranged 11.3 - 21.5 C across the growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were considerably warmer ranging 22.0 to 28.2C - across the week. In terms of rainfall, both Tully and Innisfail received in the vicinity of 84mm each across the week, whilst the other major growing regions received much lighter falls of 0.6 to 9.2mm. Cavendish banana bunch age is currently at 17 weeks with this expected to be back to 16 weeks by later this month as the weather continues to warm. We continue to see the presence of underpeel chill after previous weeks of cold overnight and morning lows. Sub-ten degree temperatures 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. We expect to see the presence of underpeel chill and hence dull bloom through until at least the end of November, maybe even extending into December.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $3.00 to $3.49/kg this week.  The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $16-$30 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 varied - slightly backward in some stores; developing to a good yellow hue.

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 at $3.50/kg in all three stores frequented and Coles offered fruit at $4.00/kg depending upon the location of the store visited. Fruit was presented neatly on assigned displays, there was a presence of dull fruit to varying degrees, on show in all outlets again this week as can be expected for the next few months.



























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 34 - A total of 446,680 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents an 5% decrease ( approx. 21000 less trays) on Week 33, 2022 production – Central Qld maintained the lead in production accounting for 40% of this volume; followed by Central NSW in second place contributed 19% of this; 15% from South Qld; WA contributed 8%; Tristate 6% and New Zealand at 5.5% of the overall total. The remaining 5.5% is made up of contributions from North Qld, Tamborine, Sunshine Coast and Northern Rivers.

·       It is forecast that a total of 369K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two to three weeks is for slightly lower quantities of approximately 340K to 350K trays per week. The current four week average dispatch as of this week is 438,499 trays.

Major supermarkets were again relatively close in monetary terms in their offering this week for avocado pricing with premium Hass ticketed at $1.69 to $1.80ea.  Hass market pricing seems to have stabilised with very little change comparative to last week. Prices ranging between $16-$28/tray for premium and a range of $11 -$17/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.

We are supplying Hass grown in the SE corner of Qld from the region of Blackbutt. This region continues to experience some cool overnight/morning temps in recent weeks ranging 1.8-11C and daytimes warming up to 15-20.3C - which makes for some brisk early mornings on the farm leading into glorious days. Our Packing team are working hard to ensure fruit quality is within specification each week. Main fruit sizing continues to be Ct 20-23 - we had intended on packing a little more this week from this region, however the weather had other ideas with rainfall impacting the number of harvestable hours. All going well we look to increase our production by 10-20% throughout the next 6-8 weeks. Our growers from SW NSW, more specifically in the region of Barham are also working hard to ensure specifications are met and that fruit quality is consistent throughout the season - fruit quality from this region has been good with supplies expected for another six weeks.

Hass Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 6 to 20 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible. 

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 $1.69ea in store;  Coles Qld had Central Qld and NQ Hass ticketed at $1.70ea depending upon store location, whilst Woolworths had Central Qld grown Hass selling at $1.70 to $1.80/piece depending upon store location and size of fruit.  The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to just about ready to eat.

In the graphical depiction below, courtesy of Neilson Harvest to Home data, it is interesting to note that whilst there has definitely been an uptake in both the number of households purchasing the humble avocado (rising by 4%) and indeed the volume being purchased ( an approx. increase of 13%), it is not quite keeping pace with the overall value of the avocado, which is well down for the period 52 weeks to 17 July 2022 (with dollar sales reducing by 25.7%) which can be directly related to industry production levels.

 

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Hass; Aldi Shepard and Coles Hass Avocados

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. Fruit had full colour, some clusters had heavier scarring - possiblly carry over fruit. Majority of clusters had dull bloom.

  • Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg

ALDI TOOWOOMBA

  • 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 - majority of display had dull bloom.

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS - REFURBISHED STORE!

  • A single layer display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg- a low level presence of some light minor skin marks noted as well as dull bloom.

  • This store has recently been refurbished, the produce section is now located on entrance like many other Aldi stores.

 

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg - fruit was displayed in single layer on each step, better colour and bloom this week. Kids packs at $4.00/kg affected by winter growing conditions.

  • ‘Eco’ Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg although no Lady Finger stock on display.

COLES TOOWOOMBA

  • Cavendish on display priced at $4.00/kg, as Kid’s packs also at $4.00. Majority of fruit had good colour.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - no stock; and Red Tips at $5.50/kg - minimal clusters.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Cavendish on display priced at $4.00/kg. Majority of fruit presented better at this store, though a few random clusters were heavily marked. Kids packs at $4.00/kg.

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

 

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - display tidy. Kids packs at $3.00ea. Fruit presented cleanly, few small skin marks - bloom a little brighter than some stores. Note had signage educating customers that fruit with a dull appearance is as a result of the cold weather but still eats well.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Organic bananas at $6.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS TOOWOOMBA

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg - a relatively neat display- a low level presence of minor scarring; bloom of some clusters has been impacted by the winter weather. “"Fresh Market Update” present educating customers re impact of cold winter weather on bloom. Mackays fruit packed 18th August meaning fruit age was 13 days.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - couple of clusters with rub marking and minor bruising; Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Organic at $6.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg but ‘Eat Later’ fruit priced at $4.00/kg? Kids packs at $3.50ea. Fruit presented cleanly, few small skin marks.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg, Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Organic bananas at $6.00/kg.

 

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

  • Hass Avocados count 23’s and 25’s at $1.69ea supplied by Avolution (Sunnyspot) and Costa’s (Lava Valley).Fruit packed dates vary from 12th August to 25th August so fruit age is 6 to 9 days.

  • Hass 5 piece at $5.99ea and 1kg Net packs on special as per the Aldi Catalogue at $4.99ea.

ALDI TOOWOOMBA

  • Toulsen’s “Tree 2 Me” packed by Avorama available in Count 23/25 - priced at $1.69 ea.

  • 1kg at $4.99ea on special and featured in this weeks catalogue and 5 piece packs at $5.99ea.

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS - REFURBISHED STORE!

  • Toulsen’s “Tree 2 Me” Hass in count 23 packed 22nd August available for sale at $1.69ea.

  • 5 piece packs selling at $5.99ea.

  • NOTE produce is now at the front of this store to greet customers.

 

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

  • An extremely neat and well positioned end display of Hass Avocados- ticketed at $1.70ea. All fruit presented well - good selection of maturities available for customers.
    5 piece prepacks priced at $7.90ea.

COLES TOOWOOMBA

  • Count 25 Hass from Simpsons on display for $1.70ea. Fruit packed 16th August so age is 15 days.

  • Good mix of condition. 5 piece packs at $7.90ea and 1kg IMPERFECT packs at $5.00ea.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Loose Count 25 Hass from Costas (Gem Hass) and Barham Hass priced at $1.70ea. Gems packed 20th August so 11 days old.

  • 5pk prepacks priced at $7.90ea and 1kg IM Perfect packs priced at $5.00ea.

 

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

  • Hass in count 14-23’s were ticketed at $1.80ea, displayed on A Frame double sided display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Simpson Farm fruit present (this line packed 11th to 14th August so 16-20 days old). A few pieces that were found very soft, some body rots and blue copper residue.

  • Prepacks: 5 piece packs at $7.50ea and 1kg packs at $6.90ea.

WOOLWORTHS TOOWOOMBA

  • Simpson farms and Purpleskin fruit- some fruit packed 11th August so age is 20 days; Count 20/23 Hass Avocados ticketed at $1.70 each.

  • 5 piece prepacks at $7.50ea and 1kg packs at $6.90ea.

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

  • Simpson Hass in count 25’s were ticketed at $1.70ea, displayed on A Frame display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Simpson fruit packed 11th August so fruit age is 19-20 days old.

  • Prepacks: 5 piece packs at $7.50ea and 1kg packs at $6.90ea.