QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

National transport figures for last week (Wk 16/2023) of 451,464 cartons saw a 13.25% increase from the previous week with approximately an additional 60,000 cartons on week 15. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 18.0 - 23.2 C across all major growing regions - whilst day time temperatures were warmer ranging 25.5 to 29.3C, we are starting to see a cooling of temperatures with the season change. Rainfall this week has stayed consistent with Mareeba and Walkamin received between 1-4mm each, however quite a different story in Tully and Innisfail receiving a significant dump of 280 to 360mm across the week. The forecast for the next week is for the partly cloudy weather with the chance of showers across all of these regions which will tend to reduce growth rates.

Independent retailers were selling bananas at $2.99 to $3.00/kg this week. The markets have moderate supplies of cavendish relative to demand.

The presentation of Cavendish presented this week continues to have good bloom (isolated displays with some dull hued fruit) with a light presence of small rub marks and some minor neck injuries.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on bananas exhibited minimal change from last week with Aldi’s banana ticket price at $2.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a competitive ticket price of $2.50-$3.00/kg depending upon location visited; and Coles were offering fruit slightly cheaper at $2.50/kg.

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 16, 2023 - The industry saw a tremendous increase of 62% on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 533,166 trays harvested and transported ( approx. 204,046 more trays) on Week 15, 2023 production - There were some 226,146 trays/other pack formats of Shepards harvested this week which means that the new season Hass avos have now taken the lead in terms of varietal production with a total 301,122 trays/other packing formats harvested last week. North Qld maintains the lead in overall production at 71.94% of the total volume; Central Qld contributing 26.59% of the volume followed by a combined effort of entral NSW and Trisate contributing the remaining 1.47% (Hass).

· It is forecast that a total of 428K trays will be despatched this week nationally. Whilst there will still be a few Shepard avocados around for another two weeks our shift now changes to the Hass variety. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two to three weeks will fall between 400 and 450K per week, whilst total avocado production across this same period is expected to hit around 470K to 500K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure has increased and now sits at 428,633 trays.

Ticket pricing of avocados this week was quite stable with pricing ranging $1.99 to $2.50 per piece at most retail outlets. Major supermarkets this week, also had competitive offers for premium Shepard in Qld - ticketed at $1.90 to $2.00ea. Market pricing for Shepard and Hass bulks, premium; class one and second bulks, have been ranging $10.00-$30.00/ctn - these bulks are being used to make prepacks and to serve the food service industry primarily. Most second grade fruit is being used in processing.

Avocado display presentation in Qld stores this week was generally well done, some fruit in every store with slight bruising or marking. Fruit age ranged 12 to 15 days from packed date on tray labels that were visible.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld had NQ Shepard ticketed at $1.99ea in Aldi Super Savers; Coles Qld had Shepards ticketed at $2.00ea, and Woolworths had NQ Shepards selling at a competitive $1.90/ea. Woolworths stores also stocked Purpleskin Hass, priced at $2.50ea.

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

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI LOGANHOLME

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $2.99/kg.
Fruit had a variety of ripeness, some with spotting and neck injuries.

ALDI CARINDALE

A display of Cavendish were priced at $2.99/kg. Very minor skin marking, but bloom was the best this week.
Lady Fingers on display for $5.99/kg.

ALDI FAIRFIELD

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $2.99/kg. Fruit were more on the green side at this store.
Lady Fingers were priced at $5.99/kg and in the Aldi Super Savers section.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES LOGANHOLME

Cavendish bananas displayed at $2.50/kg - needed a refill. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg.

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish on display priced at $2.50/kg. Kids packs also priced at $2.50ea with some very long fruit contained within.
Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg and Red Tips at $5.50/kg.
All varieties had a percentage of green fruit.

COLES FAIRFIELD

Cavendish bananas displayed at $2.50/kg. Kids packs at $2.50ea containing some very large fruit. Good bloom over all varieties but a number of minor skin marks and neck injury noted.
Lady Fingers at $6.90/kg. Organic variety at $5.50/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS LOGANHOLME

Cavendish priced at $3.00/kg - Eat Now and Eat Later display areas with spillover floor display. ‘Mini Bananas’ priced at $2.50 per pack.
Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg, Red Tips at $4.50/kg and Organic at $4.50ea on special.

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish priced at $2.50/kg. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Red Tips at $4.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg. Organics at $4.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS BURANDA

Cavendish Bananas at $2.50/kg, Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Red Tips at $4.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg.
Organic at $4.50/kg on special.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI