Retail Market Week 8 - 2023

/

QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week (Wk 7/2023) declined by 4% to 457,445 cartons (some 19,000 ctns less than previous week). Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 19 - 23.7 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 24.3 to 30.3C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions continue to be impacted by rainfall. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received between 67 and 81mm across the week, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 198.6 to 308mm across the week - the continuance of rain and cloudy skies (despite being warm) have an impact on harvesting and on fruit growth rates.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.69 to $3.49/kg this week.  The markets have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand.

The presentation of Cavendish presented this week had good bright bloom with a light 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 $3.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.00/kg in stores frequented and Coles were offering fruit at $2.99 to $4.00/kg dependant upon location visited. Fruit was presented neatly on assigned displays, there was a presence of some minor rub and skin scarring.




















































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 7, 2023 - A total of just 355,883 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 13% decrease ( approx. 54,000 fewer trays) on Week 6, 2023 production. Of the total, just shy of 278,000 trays of this volume were new season Shepard avos and so it is of no surprise that we saw North Qld climb to 82.4% of the production total volume; followed by WA at 15.2% contributing Hass; Tristate at 1.4%, and the balance of approx 1% coming from Central NSW and NZ also contributing Hass. With in excess of 80% of production coming from far North Qld, it is important we note that the start of the season has been met with rain, rain and more rain in this part of the country - over the last 3-4 weeks, falls of 50 to 100mm each week have been a regular occurrence which can impact dry matter test results; the ability to harvest; and an even greater the need for increased care in the packing sheds to ensure high quality fruit is being packed and despatched.

·       It is forecast that a total of 392K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Shepard forecast for the next two to three weeks is for supplies to be strengthening with volumes of approximately 350K to 370K trays per week expected, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 420K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure sits at 383,977 trays.

We saw a slight softening of the retail ticket price of avocados by major supermarkets this week with offers on pricing for premium Shepard in Qld ticketed at $2.50 to $2.79ea.  Market pricing in the three eastern seaboard locations has come back with prices ranging $20-$25/tray for premium fruit and $15-$20/tray for class one. WA Hass supply should come to a season end at the end of this week.   There have been some class one and second bulks on the market this week with prices ranging $6.00-$30.00/ctn.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 8 to 14 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible.  A little nodule/lenticel damage present on some lines which is not surprising considering the amount of rain the far North has been experiencing.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld had NQ Shepard only selling at $2.79ea;  Coles Qld had new season Shepards ticketed at $2.50ea, and Woolworths had NQ Shepards selling at $2.50 to $2.70/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. You will see in a couple of the store display shots that Greenskins have an additional sticker on the fruit that simply states “Eat Now” - this is a part of the Woolworths ripe programme - fruit has been ripened so that it is ready to eat for customers.

 

 

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

 

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. This display needed restocking.

  • Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg. Bruising and splitting of the banana skin was evident.

ALDI ACACIA RIDGE

  • A display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg - good range of ripeness at this store.

  • Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg. Some bruising, these needed restocking.

ALDI NORTH TOOWOOMBA

  • A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg with minimal marking.

  • Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg - same line of fruit - bruising and rub marking present.

 

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas displayed at $2.99/kg. Kids packs at $3.50ea - these were slightly backward.

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

  • Organic at $5.50/kg.

COLES NORTH TOOWOOMBA

  • Cavendish on display priced at $4.00/kg. Some minor skin marking, odd cut to skin, rub marks etc.

  • Organic variety at $5.50/kg.

 

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.00 per pack. Neat display.

  • Lady Fingers on special at $6.50/kg and Organic at $5.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

  • Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg. Fruit presented cleanly, nice bloom, few small skin marks. Kids packs at $3.00ea.

  • Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.50/kg. Organic at $5.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

  • Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.00 per pack.

  • Lady Fingers on special at $6.50/kg and Red Tips at $5.00/kg. Organic at $5.50ea.

 

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY


  • Greenskin Shepard Avocados - priced at $2.79 ea. A little skin marking, lenticel and odd piece found to have shrivelled skin.

  • 1kg prepacks in stock priced at $7.49ea.

  • 5 piece packs priced at $7.99ea.

ALDI ACACIA RIDGE

  • Count 25 Greenskin Shepard Avocados - $2.79ea. Packed on date 7th Feb, so fruit age 15 days old.

  • 1kg Prepacks priced at $7.99ea. 5 piece packs at $8.99ea.

ALDI NORTH TOOWOOMBA

  • Greenskin Ct 25 Shepard Avocados - needing restocking, priced at $2.79 ea. Packed date 8th Feb - age 14 days.

  • 1kg prepacks in stock priced at $7.49ea.

  • 5 piece packs priced at $7.99ea.

 

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Shepard Avocados from Greenskin and Howe Farming - ticketed at $2.50ea.

  • 1kg packs at $7.90ea?? Wrong price ticket for the product.

COLES NORTH TOOWOOMBA

  • Shepard Avos supplied by Murray Brothers (a number of growers) which appear to be selling well by empty slots ticketed at $2.50ea.

  • I’m Perfect 1kg prepacks at $8.90ea and 5 piece packs at $7.90ea.

COLES SMITHFIELD

  • Ct25 Shepard Avocados- ticketed at $2.50ea supplied by Greenskin; Howe Farming and Obie Farms with packed dates ranging 6th Feb to 10th Feb so fruit age 12 - 16 days.

  • 5 piece packs priced at $7.90ea but price ticket applied to the 1kg Im Perfect product??

 

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Count 25 Hass were ticketed at $2.50ea grown by Greenskins and Howe Farming, displayed on A Frame display just inside the entrance to the produce department.

  • Individual avocados were stickered with ‘Eat Now’ for ease of customers choosing.

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

  • Count 28 Shepard at $2.50ea (on outside specials board) but shelf ticket had price of $2.70ea. Fruit displayed on A Frame double sided display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Fruit packed 8th Feb so fruit age is 14 days. Header cards alerted customers to the fact that Shepards are back in season!

  • 1kg Odd Bunch priced at $7.00ea.

WOOLWORTHS MOOROOKA

  • Count 20 Greenskin Hass were ticketed at $2.50ea, displayed on A Frame display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Fruit packed 10th to 14th Feb so age ranged 8 to 12 days. New season header cards in use.