QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week (Wk 8/2023) of some 384,800 cartons saw a further declined by 15% (some 72,500 ctns less than previous week). Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 19.5 - 23.8 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 25.6 to 31C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions continue to be impacted by rainfall. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received in the vicinity of 14-15mm each across the week, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 228 to 272mm 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 (except two stores with random dull clusters) with a light presence of minor dry scar; small rub marks; neck injury and sap staining.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas was uniform this week with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $3.50/kg in stores frequented and Coles were also offering fruit at $3.50/kg in locations visited. Fruit was presented neatly on assigned displays, there was a presence of some minor rub and skin scarring as noted above.

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 8, 2023 - A total of just 341,100 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 4.1% decrease ( approx. 14,000 fewer trays) on Week 7, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 222,000 trays of this volume were new season Shepard avos and so it is of no surprise that we saw North Qld maintain the lead in production at 83.68% of the total volume; followed by WA at 13.47% contributing Hass; and the balance of approx 2.8% coming from Central NSW and Tristate also contributing Hass. The despatch from North Qld has been adversely affected by the continued wet weather this week and this is forecast to be a continuing factor next week. Please note there was no imported fruit from New Zealand this week.

· It is forecast that a total of 366K trays will be despatched this week nationally - though these figures were set prior to the inclement weather we have been experiencing in the North. The Shepard forecast for the next two to three weeks is for supplies to be strengthening with volumes of approximately 298K to 360K trays per week expected, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 350K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure sits at 375,146 trays. The weather in far north Queensland from whence the bulk of primary production is currently being grown has been rather relentless in terms of rainfall - this obviously has an impact on our ability to harvest and puts more pressure on the packing crews to ensure that the fruit is handled with extra care as it tends to be more prone to lenticel damage.

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 $2.00 to $2.49ea. Market pricing in the three eastern seaboard locations has also come back with prices ranging $20-$26/tray for premium fruit and $14-$20/tray for class one. WA Hass supply continues to trickle through with the last of supplies hitting southern markets this week. Market pricing for Shepard bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $6.00-$25.00/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. Found a presence of antracnose and body rots, bruising amongst a few lines as noted below.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld had NQ Shepard only selling at $2.49ea (featured in their weekly catalogue); Coles Qld had new season Shepards ticketed at $2.00ea, and Woolworths had NQ Shepards selling at $2.00-$2.50/piece depending upon store location. 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. It was also great to see in Woolworths stores, new Shepard season header cards to highlight the variety’s return to customers.

For this weeks sales pricing please see the info below….

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. This display had a variety of ripeness and a section of the display which had perhaps carried fruit that was more heavily marked.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg. Colouring of these was good.

ALDI CARINDALE

A display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg - display only half full at time of visit. A little minor skin marking, odd neck injury present.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg. Some bruising and split skin, these needed restocking.

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg - again part of the display had fruit with dull bloom, more heavily marked with neck inury, rub and dry scarring.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg - green and rub marking present.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.50/kg. Kids packs at $3.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg. Some minor skin marking on most lines.

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish on display priced at $3.50/kg. Kids packs also priced at $3.50ea. Display in need of a top up.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg. Organic variety at $5.50/kg.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.50/kg. Kids packs at $3.50ea. A few clusters found that were very dull - possible chilling inury at some point in the supply chain.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.90/kg.
Organic at $5.50/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.00 per pack. Neat display.
Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg, Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Organic at $5.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg. Fruit presented cleanly, nice bloom, few small skin mark - odd clusters found to be spotting. Kids packs at $3.00ea.
Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg (quite mixed condition). Organic at $5.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.00 per pack. Again very neatly displayed.
Lady Fingers on special at $6.00/kg and Red Tips at $5.00/kg. Organic at $5.50ea.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI