Retail Market Week 10 - 2023

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QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE


National transport figures for last week (Wk 9/2023) of some 357,255 cartons saw a further decline of 7.2% (some 27,500 ctns less than previous week). Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 14.6 - 24.2 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 25.0 to 33.6C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions continue to be impacted by rainfall. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received in the vicinity of 85-89mm each across the week, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 184 to 245mm across the week - the continuance of rain and cloudy skies (despite being warm) have an impact on harvesting and on fruit growth rates. Further rain is forecast for the next few days, there may be a reprive by the weekend.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.79 to $3.99/kg this week.  The markets have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand.

The presentation of Cavendish presented this week continues to have bright bloom with a light presence of minor dry scar; small rub marks; and neck injuries. An odd appearance of bruising noted.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas was varied this week with Aldi’s banana ticket price at what seems like a standard $3.49/kg - Browns Plains and Loganholme with very good displays; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.00/kg at all three locations visited; whilst Coles were offering fruit at $2.99/kg to $3.50/kg dependent upon 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 9, 2023 - A total of just 363,495 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 6.57% increase ( approx.22,000 more trays) on Week 8, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 304,000 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 85.76% of the total volume; Central Qld have commenced their season contributing 6.46% of the volume followed by WA at 5.79% (contributing Hass). The balance of approx 2% came from Central NSW and Tristate (other varieties). The despatch from North Qld has been adversely affected by the continued wet weather this week and this not forecast to improve until across the weekend.

·       It is forecast that a total of 363K 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 300K to 360K trays per week expected, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 330-380K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure sits at 367,546 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 the good news, is the weather is expected to clear by the weekend.

We saw a more uniform retail ticket price of avocados by major supermarkets this week with offers on pricing for premium Shepard in Qld ticketed at $1.99 to $2.00ea.  Market pricing in the three eastern seaboard locations was steady with prices ranging $20-$28/tray(odd $30/tray for really good fruit) for premium fruit and $14-$22/tray for class one. WA Hass supply continues to trickle through with the last of supplies expected in southern markets this week.   Market pricing for Shepard bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $6.00-$30.00/ctn.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 14 to 22 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 anthracnose and body rots, bruising amongst a few lines as can be seen in store images below.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld had NQ Shepard ticketed at $1.99ea;  Coles Qld had new season Shepards ticketed at $2.00ea, and Woolworths also had NQ Shepards selling at $2.00/ea instores visited.  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.

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 ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

  • A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. This display had a variety of ripeness.

  • Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg. Colouring of these was good.

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

  • A display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg. A little minor skin marking, odd neck injury present.

  • No Lady Fingers.

ALDI LOGANHOLME

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

 

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Cavendish bananas displayed at $2.99/kg. Kids packs at $3.50ea.

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

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

  • Cavendish on display priced at $3.50/kg. Kids packs also priced at $3.50ea.

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

COLES LOGANHOLME

  • 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 $6.50/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 at $6.00/kg and Organic at $5.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

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

  • Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS LOGANHOLME

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

  • Lady Fingers on special at $6.00/kg and Organic at $5.50ea.

 

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY


  • Greenskin Shepard Avocados - priced at $1.99 ea. Quite a number had significant marking.

  • 1kg prepacks in stock priced at $5.99ea.

  • 5 piece packs priced at $6.49ea.

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

  • Greenskin Shepard Avocados - $1.99ea.

  • 1kg Prepacks priced at $5.99ea. 5 piece packs at $6.49ea.

ALDI LOGANHOLME

  • Greenskin Shepard Avocados - on special priced at $1.99 ea.

  • 1kg prepacks in stock priced at $5.99ea.

  • 5 piece packs priced at $6.49ea.

 

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

  • Shepard Avocados in Ct23-25 - from Greenskins; Howe Farming, Rock Ridge and a line of Costa fruit - ticketed at $2.00ea. Fruit packed 14-21st Feb so fruit age is 15-22 days old. Both Howe Farming and Costa fruit had a presence of some bruising and body rot. Some nodule damage on a few line.

  • 1kg packs at $6.90ea and 5 piece packs at $5.90ea on special.

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

  • Shepard Avos ticketed at $2.00ea.

  • I’m Perfect 1kg prepacks at $6.90ea and 5 piece packs on special at $5.90ea.

COLES LOGANHOLME

  • Ct23 Shepard Avocados- ticketed at $2.00ea supplied by Greenskin; Howe Farming(a couple with severe antracnose) and one of Murray Bros growers.

  • I’m Perfect 1kg packs at $6.90ea and 5 piece packs at $5.90ea.

 

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

  • Count 23 Hass were ticketed at $2.00ea grown by Greenskins and Howe Farming, displayed on A Frame display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Fruit packed 22nd Feb so age of fruit is 14 days.

  • 5 piece net Packs at $7.90ea.

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

  • Greenskin Count 25 Shepard at $2.00ea. Fruit displayed on A Frame double sided display just inside the entrance to the produce department. % of display dedicated to Eat Now (fruit with second sticker that says Eat now. Fruit packed date of 22nd Feb so fruit age is 14 days.

  • 1kg Odd Bunch priced at $5.90ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS LOGANHOLME

  • Count 20/23 Greenskin Hass were ticketed at $2.00ea, displayed on A Frame display just inside the entrance to the produce department.

  • 1kg packs priced at $5.90ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea. Some packs had bruised fruit.