QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national harvest for last week declined somewhat to 402,252 cartons, representing a 4.26% decrease on the week prior, just shy of 18,000 less cartons. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 14.1 - 23.4 C across all major growing regions and day time temperatures have remained warmer ranging 29.5 - 35.9 C. Minimal rain fell across the entire North Qld growing regions this week with Mareeba and Walkamin receiving 0mm; and falls across Innisfail and Tully only slightly more at 1.0-2.4mm. The dry conditions continue and the average day temp is on the rise with summer fast approaching. Harvests over the next few weeks are expected to fall within 400,000-440,000 cartons per week, with an intentional light harvest in the last week prior to Christmas.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on cavendish bananas was as follows: Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.50/kg; and Coles were offering fruit at $4.00/kg. Banana quality in stores varied with findings of some bat damage; sap staining; minor bruising and light scarring noted within most supermarket displays. Some ladyfinger displays were marred by the presence of maturity bronzing.

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 46, 2023 - The industry saw a 6.6% decrease on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 406,705 trays harvested and transported (approx 28,000 less trays) on Week 45, 2023 production. Hass variety supplying 402,998 trays harvested in addition to 3,707 trays of assorted other varieties also in this week’s reported figures. Western Australia continues to lead production with 86.77% of the total volume this week, then Tristate with 5.85%, Central NSW with 5.00%, New Zealand with 2.25%, and South QLD with the last 0.09%. All markets are well supplied with fruit with pricing coming back this week by $1-$2/tray on most sizes. Whilst the national harvest was down 6.6% there is still plenty of fruit in the system to meet demand. Demand is expected to increase in the next few weeks with the approach to Christmas and with the warmer weather. It is very pleasing to see some cafe’s etc adding avocado’s in a number of their menu options… Like the Jamaica Blue chain menu seen below.

· It is forecast that a total of 421K trays will be despatched this week nationally. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two to three weeks thereafter are expected to range between 420K and 460K per week. In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld Hass at $1.29ea ; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.30ea, and Woolworths had Hass selling at $1.00-1.30ea.

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 CHERMSIDE

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. Most with a tinge of green.
No Lady Fingers at this store this week.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. This store had only half green fruit.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.99/kg. This variety had good colour and minimal marking this week.

ALDI MT OMMANEY

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. Most with a tinge of green. Couple of odd clusters sound to be spotting. Odd neck injury and bruising also found.
Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg. Good colour and bloom but some very full fingers - supplied by Costa’s.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES CHERMSIDE

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg. Kids packs also priced at $4.00ea. A presence of bat/bird damage noted and light skin scarring.
Red Tips $4.50/kg, Lady Fingers $7.90/kg and Organic variety at $4.20/kg. Low stock of these varieties.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish on display priced at $4.00/kg - good colour.
Kids packs priced at $4.00ea.
Red Tips at $4.50/kg and Lady Fingers $7.90/kg.

COLES MT OMMANEY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg - a little sap staining and light bat marking on a few clusters. Kids packs also priced at $4.00ea. Bananas positioned just inside store main entry.
Red Tips $4.50/kg, Lady Fingers $7.90/kg found with varying degrees of bronzing and Organic variety at $4.20/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CHERMSIDE

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 - both needed refilling.
Organic variety priced at $6.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

A very neat display of Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg. Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg a couple of full fingers.

WOOLWORTHS MT OMMANEY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg. Kids packs also priced at $2.50ea.
Red Tips $5.50/kg, Lady Fingers $6.00/kg bronzing found on some clusters and Organic variety at $6.00/kg.

INDEPENDENT BANANAS - MT OMMANEY

Cavendish at $2.99 per prepack.
Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI