QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week (Wk 10/2023) of 441,142 cartons saw a significant increase of 23.4% (some 83,917 ctns more than previous week). Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 18.4 - 24.2 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 29.5 to 33.1C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions continue to be impacted by rainfall., though much lighter falls than the previous three weeks. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received in the vicinity of 19-23mm each across the week, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received a reprieve of only 12.8 to 22.2mm across the week. The forecast for the next week is for the occurrence of light showers across the regions.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.49 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 (odd appearance of a few dull clusters which appear to be temperature related during the supply chain) with a light presence of minor dry scar; small rub marks; and neck injuries.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas exhibited minimal change from last week with Aldi’s banana ticket price at what seems like a standard $3.49/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.00/kg at all three locations visited; whilst Coles were offering fruit at $3.50/kg at all 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 10, 2023 - A total of just 304,879 trays were harvested and transported last week which represents a 16.13% decrease ( approx.58,600 less trays) on Week 9, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 294,000 trays of this volume were new season Shepard avos and so it is of no surprise that we saw North Qld maintain lead production at 79.55% of the total volume; Central Qld contributing 17.89% of the volume followed by a combined effort of WA/Central NSW and Trisate contributing the remaining 2.6% (Hass). The despatch from North Qld has continued to be impacted by the continued wet weather this week. Whilst there has been some reprieve in total rainfall, however showers are forecast to continue this week.

· It is forecast that a total of 349K 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 330K to 360K trays per week expected, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 348-380K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure has fallen and now sits at 341,339 trays. The weather in far north Queensland from whence the bulk of primary production is currently being grown has been very warm during the days with a continuance of light showers. Fruit quality on farm is very good though sizing averages in comparison to the 2022 crop is down from a Ct 16 to Ct20/23.

Ticket pricing of avocados this week was much sharper with pricing falling for the first time this season to under $2 per piece at most retail outlets. Major supermarkets this week, surprisingly all had very similar offers for premium Shepard in Qld - ticketed at $1.79 to $2.00ea. Market pricing in the three eastern seaboard locations was steady with prices ranging $28-$32/tray (for exceptional quality up to $34/tray) for premium fruit and $16-$22/tray for class one. Market pricing for Shepard bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $6.00-$30.00/ctn. Some Independent retailers, continue to offer large sized premium fruit 2/$4 and 2/$5.00.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally pleasing. Fruit age ranged 9 to 15 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible. A little minor scarring and nodule damage observed, occasional bruising and would to the skin also seen.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld had NQ Shepard ticketed at $1.79ea; Coles Qld had new season Shepards ticketed at $1.80ea $2.00ea, and Woolworths also had NQ Shepards selling at $1.80/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. Also noted in Coles stores this week, were the re-introduction of the Autumn Hass which was ticketed at the same price as the Shepards and displayed alongside on the end display units.

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 MT GRAVATT EAST

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. Fruit had good bloom and presented cleanly.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg. Colouring of these was good.

ALDI TOOWOOMBA

A display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg. A little minor skin marking, odd neck injury present.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg, these had good colour and were selling well.

ALDI ACACIA RIDGE

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. Evidence of bat marking, wet scars, and sooty mould on a few clusters.
Lady Fingers had good colour, priced at $5.99/kg.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES MT GRAVATT EAST

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.50/kg. Kids packs at $3.50ea - these were all semi-coloured.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.50/kg.

COLES TOOWOOMBA

Cavendish on display priced at $3.50/kg - display almost in need of a refill. Kids packs priced at $4.00ea - again semi-coloured.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers on special at $5.90/kg - majority of these presented with bright bloom and very clean. Organic variety at $5.50/kg.

COLES SUNNYBANK

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.50/kg. Mini Banana packs at $3.50ea - again primarily semi-coloured, fruit sizing however quite large considering label name . A few cavendish clusters found that were very dull - possible chilling injury at some point in the supply chain.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $5.90/kg.
Organic variety in the ‘Organics’ section, priced at $5.50/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS MT GRAVATT EAST

Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg - Eat Now and Eat Later display areas, though some of the eat later stock positioned in the Eat Now spot. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.00 per pack.
Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg, Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Organic at $5.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS TOOWOOMBA

Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg. Fruit presented cleanly, nice bloom, few small skin marks. Kids packs at $3.00ea - couple of these exhibited heavier skin marking.
Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg. Organics at $5.50/kg.
A variety of growers can be seen here.

WOOLWORTHS ACACIA RIDGE

Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg - few clusters with neck injuries and light skin marking present. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.00 per pack.
Lady Fingers on special at $6.00/kg only two fingers remain on shelf, appear to be carried stock from previous days trade, Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Organic at $5.50/kg a couple of which were starting to spot, and with major neck inury.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI