Retail Market Week 42 - 2022

/

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE


National transport figures for last week declined by a further 4% to 445,605 cartons (some 20,000 ctns less than last week). Over the last week in the far north, slightly cooler early A.M. temperatures ranged 16 - 22 C across the growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were considerably warmer ranging 29 to 31.7C -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 were relatively dry with just the odd light shower in Tully and Innisfail contributing 0.4 and 4.6mm to the annual rainfall records. Cavendish banana bunch age is currently at 16 weeks with this expected to be back to 15-16 weeks by mid-November; 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 $2.69 to $3.49/kg this week.  The markets all have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand with fruit selling at $18-$33 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 declined by $1/kg to $2.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $3.50/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 41 - A total of just 333,078 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 1% decrease ( approx. 4,000 fewer trays) on Week 40, 2022 production. This week we saw WA’s lead climb to 28.1% of the total volume; followed by Tristate at 26.5%; Central NSW at 18.8%, New Zealand at 13.8%; and South Qld at 11.5% of the overall total. The remaining 1.3% is made up of contributions from Tamborine, Sunshine Coast and Northern Rivers.

·       It is forecast that a total of 394K 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 370K to 400K trays per week expected. The current four week average dispatch figures continues to fall below 400K at 319,148 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-$34 with main sales $28-$32 ( the odd $36/tray fore real glamour fruit). In Victoria, the increased supply of quality WA fruit has seen pricing of $30-$36/tray for premium fruit; $26-$30 on other Australian grown hass. Prices for class one fruit have been falling within a range of $14 -$22/tray.  There have been some class one and second bulks on the market this week with prices ranging $10-$24.

Our growers from SW NSW, more specifically in the region of Barham are also working hard to ensure specifications - supplies are expected for another two weeks, dependent upon the weather. We are also pleased to announce that Avonova in WA are harvesting and packing again, with the first of their fruit to hit shelves from 24th October - we expect a slow start to their season as numbers are lighter this year but quality is definitely looking good.

Avocado display presentation in Qld/WA stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 7 to 33 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible, with NZ sourced fruit being 22 to 33 days.  This week we saw New Zealand fruit as a component of the offering in all three of the major supermarkets in Brisbane.

Paul had a trip to WA this week to catch up with growers, so we have a glimpse in the Perth retail landscape this week as well. In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - the offer was very similar to last week :  Aldi Qld had NZ Hass selling this week at a ticket price of $1.69ea in store as did Aldi Perth;  Coles Qld had Australian and NZ Hass ticketed at $1.80ea depending upon store location, whilst Woolworths had both Central Qld grown Hass and NZ Hass selling at $1.80 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.

 

 

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

  • A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $2.99/kg. Some really quite dull clusters present, with speckle and skin marking.

  • Costa Lady Fingers at $5.49/kg

ALDI LOGANHOLME

  • 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 - majority of display had dull bloom with small skin marks.

  • Costa Lady Fingers - some clusters with bat marking, were priced at $5.99/kg.

ALDI PERTH

  • A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $2.99/kg. About half of the stock was green with skin markings on both ripe and unripe fruit.

  • Costa Lady Fingers at $5.49/kg

 

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

  • Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg - fruit displayed was slightly dull in colour and bloom this week. Some dull clusters with multiple small skin marks. Kids packs at $3.00/kg.

  • ‘Eco’ Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers for $7.90/kg.

COLES LOGANHOLME

  • 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.

COLES PERTH

  • Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg - fruit was displayed in single layer on each step, slightly dull in colour and bloom this week some clusters with heavier rub marking. Majority of display was semi colour in condition.

  • Interesting locally supplied banana prepacks at this store, contents was slightly dull.

 

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

  • Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - display tidy. Kids packs at $3.00ea - odd cluster found with peel splitting.

  • Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg. Red Tips at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS LOGANHOLME

  • Cavendish bananas priced at $3.50/kg - a low level presence of minor scarring - kids packs at $3.00ea. Fruit was relatively bright, clean and of good colour hues.

  • 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 PERTH

  • Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - display tidy. Kids packs at $3.00ea. Fruit presented cleanly, few small skin marks, most of this store’s fruit was green.

  • Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg.

 

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

  • NZ Hass Avocados count 23’s at $1.69ea. Packed dates of 19th September so fruit age is 30 days.

  • Hass 5 piece at $6.49ea and 1kg Net packs at $5.79ea.

ALDI LOGANHOLME

  • Skylark NZ Hass Avocados Count 23/25 - firm fruit - priced at $1.69 ea. Very very soft pieces both loose and in the nets.

  • 5 piece packs still at $5.99ea.

ALDI PERTH

  • NZ Hass Avocados count 28’s at $1.69ea. Packed dates of 6th October. Aldi WA Catalogue has bananas featured.

  • Hass 5 piece at $6.49ea and 1kg Net packs at $5.99ea.

 

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

  • Ct 23 and 25 Australian and NZ Hass Avocados- ticketed at $1.80ea. All fruit presented well - good selection of maturities available for customers. Fruit appears to be selling well. NZ packed 16th Sept so 33 days old whilst the Australian sourced fruit is packed 6th October so fruit age is 13 days.

  • 5 piece packs priced at $7.90ea.

COLES LOGANHOLME

  • Count 23 Australian Hass very neatly presented and ticketed at $1.80ea.

  • Good mix of condition.

COLES PERTH

  • Ct 23 Australian Hass Avocados supplied by Delroy’s- ticketed at $1.80ea. All fruit presented well - good selection of maturities available for customers.

  • Fruit packed 12th October, therefore 7 days old.

 

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

  • Costa’s Hass in count 28’s packed 5th October and ripened for Eat Now stock were ticketed at $1.80ea, displayed on A Frame double sided display just inside the entrance to the produce department. NZ Hass also present as well as Giofrelle’s.

  • 1kg packs at $6.30ea.

WOOLWORTHS LOGANHOLME

  • Hass- Count 20/23 Hass Avocados ticketed at $1.80 each. Mix of maturities on offer.

  • 1kg packs at $6.30ea.

WOOLWORTHS PERTH

  • Hass in count 23-25’s were ticketed at $1.80ea with main supply from Delroy’s, displayed on A Frame double sided display just inside the entrance to the produce department.

  • 5 piece prepacks were priced at $7.50ea and 1kg packs at $6.30ea..