QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week declined by 4% to 465,316 cartons (some 21,800 ctns less than last week). In this last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures ranged 18.4 - 23 C across the growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were considerably warmer ranging 28 to 32C -as the days gradually lengthen and the barometer starts to climb we will see fruit growth rates comparatively increase. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions except Mareeba, experienced falls across the week 15 to 43mm in the north. Cavendish banana bunch age is currently at 16 weeks with this expected to be back to 16-17 weeks by mid-October; as the weather continues to warm. We continue to see the presence of underpeel chill after previous winter growing periods of cold overnight and morning lows. We expect to see a lessening 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 $2.29 to $3.69/kg this week. The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $16-$32 per carton, dependent upon quality and quantity each agent has.

The presentation of Cavendish presented this week continue to reflect the impact of cold growth periods throughout winter with fruit of less bright appearance present in varying degrees. There was a presence of minor dry scar; speckle; small rub marks and sap staining.

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 $3.99/kg; whilst Woolies offered fruit at a super hot ticket price of $2.00 to $2.50/kg in stores frequented and Coles were offering fruit at $3.00/kg dependant upon location 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 40 - A total of just 337,292 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 5% increase ( approx. 16,000 more trays) on Week 39, 2022 production. This week we saw WA climb to the top of the leader board in terms of production contributing 23% of the total volume; followed by Tristate at 22% and New Zealand at 22%; then Central NSW at 19% and South Qld at 13% of the overall total. The remaining 1% is made up of contributions from Tamborine, Sunshine Coast and Northern Rivers.

· It is forecast that a total of 366K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Hass forecast for the next two to three weeks is for supplies to be strengthening with volumes of approximately 380K to 400K trays per week expected. The current four week average dispatch figures continues to fall below 400K at 325,545 trays.

Major supermarkets differed in the way they approached the avocado ticket price this week with offers on pricing for premium Hass ticketed at $1.69 to $2.00ea. Market pricing in Brisbane and Sydney has continued to firm, which is great news for growers, prices range $24-$32 with main sales $28-$32 ( the odd $34/tray fore real glamour fruit). In Victoria, the increased supply of quality WA fruit has seen pricing of $30-$34/tray for premium fruit; $26-$30 on other Australian grown hass. Prices for class one fruit have been falling within a range of $14 -$21/tray. There have been some class one and second bulks on the market this week with prices ranging $10-$24.

We are continuing to supply Hass grown in the SE corner of Qld from the region of Blackbutt. Temperatures in this region have been a touch warmer this week with overnight/early morning temps ranging 9-17.5C and daytimes warming up to 16-26C whilst rain has continued its presence this week with a total of 10-24mm across the region. Our Packing team are working tirelessly to ensure fruit quality is within specification each week - we are continuing to find a slightly higher presence of nodule damage with continued wet weather, with the more heavily marked pieces being removed from the packs to ensure fruit is in spec. This will be the final week of packing for this region. Our growers from SW NSW, more specifically in the region of Barham are also working hard to ensure specifications - supplies expected for another two weeks, dependent upon the weather. We are also please to announce that Avonova in WA are commencing their hass harvest late this week, just starting slowly.

Hass Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 8 to 30 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible, with NZ sourced fruit being 22 to 30 days. This week we saw New Zealand fruit as a component of the offering in all three of the major supermarkets in Brisbane.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows: Aldi Qld had NZ Hass selling this week at a ticket price of $1.69ea in store; Coles Qld had Australian and NZ Hass ticketed at $1.50 to $1.80ea depending upon store location, whilst Woolworths had both Central Qld grown Hass and NZ Hass selling at $1.70 to $2.00/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. Aldi seemed to have a much higher percentage of quite ripe fruit on shelf this week.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI TOOWOOMBA - KEARNEY SPRINGS

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. Found clusters with sap staining, rub, wounds and bruising.
Costa Lady Fingers at $5.49/kg

ALDI REDBANK PLAINS

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 - a portion of display had dull bloom with small skin marks including rub, speckle, bruising.
Costa Lady Fingers - some clusters with bat marking, were priced at $5.99/kg.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. Some really quite dull clusters present, with speckle and skin marking.
Costa Lady Fingers at $5.49/kg

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES TOOWOOMBA - KEARNEY SPRINGS

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg - fruit was displayed in single layer on each step, except bottom tier which was double up, slightly dull in colour and bloom this week. Sap stains and small skin marks apparent. Kids packs at $3.00/kg.
‘Eco’ Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers on special for $5.50/kg - these presented well in terms of colour and skin appeal.

COLES REDBANK PLAINS

Cavendish on display priced at $3.00/kg , as Kid’s packs also at $3.00. A portion of the fruit was semi-colour, some clusters with light skin marking - display unit could do with a clean.
Lady Fingers on special at $5.90/kg - very clean fruit and Red Tips at $5.50/kg.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg - fruit was displayed in single layer on each step, majority of which was backward in condition and slightly dull in bloom this week. Some dull clusters with multiple small skin marks and some sooty mould present.
‘Eco’ Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers on special for $5.50/kg - low stock levels on display.

COLES TOOWOOMBA - CLIFFORD GARDENS

Cavendish on display priced at $3.00/kg , as Kid’s packs also at $3.00. Majority of fruit was semi-colour, some clusters with heavy speckle and sooty mould.
Lady Fingers on special at $5.50/kg and Red Tips at $5.50/kg - some clusters starting to spot.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS TOOWOOMBA - KEARNEY SPRINGS

Cavendish priced at $2.00/kg - display tidy - majority of the stock on display was backward in condition. Kids packs at $3.00ea. Fruit presented cleanly, few small skin marks.
Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg. Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Organic bananas at $6.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS REDBANK PLAINS

Cavendish bananas priced at $2.50/kg - a relatively neat display - fruit bloom and colour were appealing - odd cluster found with split peel.
Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg - couple of clusters with minor bruising; Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Organic at $6.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish priced at $2.00/kg - display tidy. Kids packs at $3.00ea. Fruit presented cleanly, few small skin marks.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg supplied by Costa’s. Organic bananas at $6.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS TOOWOOMBA - CLIFFORD GARDENS

Cavendish bananas priced at $2.00/kg - a relatively neat display though the proportion of eat later cavs exceeded the eat now stock levels.
Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg - couple of clusters with minor bruising; Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Organic at $6.00/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI