QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 17.0 - 22.7 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 27.5 to 30.9C. In terms of rainfall, all major growing regions have received a similar amount to previous weeks. Both Mareeba and Walkamin received between 3-8mm each, whilst Tully and Innisfail have received 50 to 53mm 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 $3.50/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 $3.50/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 12, 2023 - The industry saw a significant increase of 8.28% on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 478,581 trays harvested and transported ( approx. 36,613 more trays) on Week 11, 2023 production. Of the total, approx 325,109 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 76.78% of the total volume; Central Qld contributing 19.52% of the volume followed by a combined effort of WA/Central NSW and Trisate contributing the remaining 3.70% (Hass).

· It is forecast that a total of 394K trays will be despatched this week nationally. The Shepard forecast for the next two to three weeks is for supplies will be gradually declining as this variety will give way to Hass - shepard volumes of approximately 360K to 290/300K trays per week expected, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 390000 down to 350,000 per week. The current four week average dispatch figure has increased and now sits at 397,231 trays. The weather in far north Queensland from whence the bulk of primary production is still currently being grown has been very warm during the days with a continuance of light showers. Fruit quality on farm is still very good with Shepard sizing averages falling between a Ct20 and a Ct23.

There were a little over 10,000 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 found at independent outlets ranged from $1.79 to $2.50 per piece at most retail outlets. Major supermarkets this week, offered very competitive offers for premium Shepard in Qld - ticketed at $1.99 to $2.00ea. Market pricing in the two eastern seaboard locations was steady with prices ranging $24-$36/tray (for exceptional quality up to $36/tray) for premium fruit and $18-$28/tray for class one. Market pricing for Shepard bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $10.00-$28.00/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.

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 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 $1.80-2.00ea 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 GARDEN CITY

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.49/kg. Fruit had a large variety of ripeness.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.79/kg in the ALDI Super Savers, needed restocking.

ALDI BROWNS PLAINS

A display of Cavendish were priced at $3.49/kg. Some skin marking, neck injuries present.

ALDI SUNNYBANK

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 GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $2.99/kg. Kids packs at $3.00ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $4.90/kg on special.
Organic variety were priced at $5.50/kg.

COLES BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish on display priced at $4.00/kg, these had relatively good colour. Kids packs priced at $4.00ea - again semi-coloured.
Organic variety at $5.50/kg.

COLES SUNNYBANK

Cavendish bananas displayed at $3.00/kg. A few cavendish clusters found that were very dull.
Lady Fingers on special at $5.00/kg. Red Tips at $5.00/kg.
Organic variety priced at $5.50/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - Eat Now and Eat Later display areas. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.00 per pack.
Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg- low stock of these, Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Organic at $5.50ea.

WOOLWORTHS BROWNS PLAINS

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg. Fruit presented cleanly, some slightly dull, few small skin marks. Kids packs at $3.00ea.
Red Tips at $5.00/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg. Organics at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - good bloom here. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $3.00 per pack
Red Tips at $5.00/kg, Lady Fingers at $6.50/kg and Organic at $5.50/kg.

COUNTDOWN Te Awamutu and NEW TOWN store at Rotorua

First nine photos taken at Countdown NZ Te Awamutu had imported Cavendish from Equador and Mexico priced at $3.99/kg NZ.
Whilst New Town Store in Te Awamutu had Dole Bobby Banana kids packs NZ $4.59 from Phillipines and loose cavs from Equador $3.99 /kg NZ.
Both stores - very hard to find a banana that was ready to eat.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI