QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 19.5 - 23.6 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 25.9 to 32.8C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions have received a good deal less rainfall than in previous weeks. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received between 2-6mm each, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 54 to 64mm across the week. The forecast for the next week is for the sunny weather with the chance of isolated showers across these regions.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.99 to $4.00/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 one location and $4.00/kg at the others. 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 11, 2023 - The industry saw a significant increase of 44.97% on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 441,968 trays harvested and transported last week ( approx.137,000 more trays) on Week 10, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 314,000 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 82.75% of the total volume; Central Qld contributing 14.86% of the volume followed by a combined effort of WA/Central NSW and Trisate contributing the remaining 2.38% (Hass). The weather was definitely kinder this week, though not without a few showers, it definitely has eased with beautifully warm days.

· It is forecast that a total of 447K 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 348-400K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure has fallen and now sits at 362,860 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 falling between a Ct20 and a Ct23.

There were a little over 8,000 trays of Hass harvested last week and this figure is set to be rather steady in the lead up to Easter and then steadily increase.

Ticket pricing of avocados this week was clean at $1.79 to $2.50 per piece at most retail outlets. Major supermarkets this week, ll had very competitive offers for premium Shepard in Qld - ticketed at $1.79 to $2.00ea. Market pricing in the two eastern seaboard locations was steady with prices ranging $28-$32/tray (for exceptional quality up to $34/tray) for premium fruit and $15-$20/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 8 to 15 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible. A little minor scarring and nodule damage observed, but overall a pleasing display of quality from all stores.

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 $2.00ea, and Woolworths also had NQ Shepards selling at $2.00/ea in stores visited. The fruit on shelves varied in condition with maturity ranging just yielding to just about ready to eat. Also noted in Coles stores, Autumn Hass which was ticketed at $1.80ea and were displayed alongside NQ Shepards. One Woolworths store also stocked Purpleskin Hass, priced at $2.50ea.

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 SUNNYBANK HILLS

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. Fruit had good bloom and a large variety of ripeness.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.79/kg. Slight marking and bruising.

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

A display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg. Some skin marking, neck injuries present.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.79/kg, these were decently bruised.

ALDI BENDIGO VIC

A full display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. Evidence of light skin marking on a few clusters. About half of the display was semi-coloured fruit.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

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 $5.00/kg on special, these had some considerable bruising.
Organic variety were priced at $5.50/kg.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish on display priced at $4.00/kg, these had relatively good colour. Kids packs priced at $4.00ea - again semi-coloured.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers on special at $5.00/kg - majority of these presented with bright bloom. Organic variety at $5.50/kg.

COLES BENDIGO

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg. A few cavendish clusters found that were very dull - possible chilling injury at some point in the supply chain.
Lady Fingers on special at $5.00/kg.
Organic variety priced at $5.50/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg - Eat Now and Eat Later display areas, though only stock positioned in the Eat Later spot. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.00 per pack.
Lady Fingers at $6.50/kg and Organic at $5.50ea.
All fruit slightly green in this store.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

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 (with bright bloom) and Lady Fingers at $6.50/kg. Organics at $5.50/kg.
An ‘update on bananas’ was displayed, detailing the reasoning behind marking may be due to poor weather conditions in growing regions.

WOOLWORTHS BENDIGO VIC

Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg - few clusters with neck injuries and light skin marking present. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.50 per pack. Display needed refilling.
Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Organic at $5.50/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

Count 23 Greenskin Shepard Avocados - priced at $1.79 ea. Packed 14th March - 8 days old.
1kg prepacks in stock priced at $5.99ea.
5 piece packs priced at $6.49ea.

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

Shepard Avocados - $1.79ea - growers Gunnado and Donovans.
1kg Prepacks priced at $5.99ea. 5 piece packs at $6.49ea.
All avocados in this store presented very well.

ALDI BENDIGO

Costa Shepard Avocados Ct 23-25 - on special priced at $1.79 ea - odd piece with nodule damage. Fruit packed 8th March so fruit age is 14 days old.
1kg prepacks in stock priced at $5.99ea.
5 piece packs priced at $6.49ea.

AVOCADOS AT COLES

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Shepard Avocados in Ct20-23 - from Costa’s Lovacado; Howe Farming (APP) and Rock Ridge - ticketed at $2.00ea. All aged approx 15 days old.
Autumn Hass Variety also priced at $1.80ea.
1kg packs at $6.90ea.

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Shepard Avos from a couple of different growers including Obie and Costa’s Lovacado, ticketed at $2.00ea. The Autumn line ticketed at $1.80ea. Plentiful volume on display.
Both prepacks priced at $6.90ea with good looking fruit.

COLES BENDIGO

Count 20-23 Shepard Avocados- ticketed at $1.80ea. Fruit packed 8th March to 10th March so fruit age ranges 12-14 days old. Main display end had two trays of Autumn Hass and six trays of Shepards - main growers Rockridge, Howe Farming and DBC Hass.
Autumn Hass make an appearance, displayed on the end only, also ticketed at $1.80ea.
I’m Perfect 1kg packs at $6.90ea.

AVOCADOS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Count 25 Greenskin Shepard were ticketed at $2.00ea, displayed on A Frame display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Fruit packed 14th March so age of fruit is 8 days.
5 piece net Packs at $7.50ea. 1kg prepacks at $6.00ea as a special.

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Greenskin Count 20 Shepard at $2.00ea. Fruit displayed on A Frame double sided display just inside the entrance to the produce department. Fruit packed date of 13th to 14th March so fruit age is 7- 8 days.
This store also stocked Purple skin Hass priced at $2.50ea - first for the new season hass.
5 piece packs at $7.50ea. 1kg packs at $6.00ea on special.

WOOLWORTHS BENDIGO

Count 25 Greenskin Hass were ticketed at $1.80ea, displayed on A Frame display just inside the entrance to the produce department.
1kg packs priced at $6.00ea and 5 piece packs at $7.50ea.