QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

Unfortunately I didn’t receive the national harvest figures for Week 38 before compiling this update but there has been no significant change up or down in terms of production with the chance of a more significant increase not expected for another 4 to 5 weeks. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 14.0 - 19.8 C across all major growing regions and day time temperatures have remained warmer ranging 22.1 - 32.5 C. Minimal rain fell across the entire North Qld growing regions this week with Mareeba and Walkamin receiving 2.0-4.6mm; and falls across Innisfail and Tully significantly more this week with 79.8-97.8mm!

Cavendish this week were found to have relatively good bloom, some stores with minor defects noted including rub marking and bruising. Also found the presence of sooty mould amongst a few displays and quite a marked variation in fullness of colour.

Retail ticket pricing saw a spike in Queensland on bananas which had remained relatively unchanged for a period: Aldi had their banana ticket price at $3.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.50/kg; and Coles were offering fruit at $4.50/kg. There has been quite a noticeable change in the Aldi format over the last two weeks, no longer do they have their price point proudly displayed large and bold at the front of store, it has been replaced by rather a bold red sign stating “Australia’s Lowest Prices…. we won’t be beaten on your weekly shop” and a rather small signage on the side of the display with the actual price point.

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 38, 2023 - The industry saw a 18.03% increase on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 407,409 trays harvested and transported ( approx. 50,000 more trays) on Week 37, 2023 production. Hass variety supplying 403,365 trays harvested in addition to 4,044 trays of assorted other varieties also in this week’s reported figures. Western Australia leads production and still on the increase with 39.97% of the total volume this week, then Tristate with 37.21%, South Qld with 10.31%, Central NSW with 9.30%; and lastly Tamborine and Northern Rivers, Sunshine Coast/North Qld/New Zealand with the remaining 3.21%.

· It is forecast that a total of 425K trays will be despatched this week nationally. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two to three weeks thereafter are expected to range between 425K and 460K per week. The current four week average dispatch figure now sits at 390,493 trays. All eastern markets are heavily supplied with smaller sized fruit including Counts 25/28/30/32/34 which continues to put pressure on pricing. There is a slight premium being paid for fruit of quality and size such as 14/16’s however these are somewhat hard to come by. We are continuing to supply fruit from Cherry Creek (Blackbutt in the SE Qld) together with fruit from Barham and Renmark. Our WA grower/packer Avonova has commenced harvest this week which is timely as some of the other regions are slowing.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld with $1.19ea on Hass; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.20ea, and Woolworths had Hass selling competitively also at $1.20ea.

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

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

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

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

Bananas at Woolworths

Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI INDOOROOPILLY

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg.
More skin marking this week, however colour was still bright.
Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg. Considerable markings.

ALDI MIDDLE RANGE TOOWOOMBA

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg, slightly backward.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg.

ALDI SUNNYBANK HILLS

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg, this store probably had the best colour and least marking this week.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.50/kg - most with good colour, some dull. Kids packs also priced at $4.50ea.
Red Tips priced at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers $5.90/kg.

COLES MIDDLE RANGE TOOWOOMBA

Cavendish on display priced at $4.50/kg. A full display.
Kids packs also priced at $4.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg, but Lady Fingers $5.90/kg.

COLES SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish bananas displayed at $2.49/kg?? Kids packs at $4.50ea.
Red Tips priced at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $8.00/kg.
Organic variety at $6.00/kg.
All fruit had some minor bruising and green in their colouring.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish priced at $4.50/kg - Eat Now and Eat Later display areas. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg.
Organic variety priced at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS MIDDLE RANGE TOOWOOMBA

Cavendish priced at $4.50/kg. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg.
Organic priced at $5.50/kg.

WOOLWORTHS SUNNYBANK HILLS

Cavendish Bananas at $4.50/kg. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Eat Now and Eat Later fruit appropriately presented.
Lady Fingers at $7.00/kg and Organic variety at $5.50/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI