QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national harvest figures for last week have not been released as yet but with the threat of a Tropical Cyclone off the coast, quite a number of growers based in Tully and Innisfail have been busy this week ensuring they cut a little more fruit than they would normally in case the worst happens, so the market is expected to be heavier than expected in the next week or two. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 19.1 - 25.0 C across all major growing regions and day time temperatures have remained warmer ranging 32.0 - 36.7 C. A decent increase in rainfall across the entire North Qld growing regions this week with Mareeba and Walkamin receiving 31.6 - 90.2mm; and falls across Innisfail and Tully with less, 0.8 - 3.0mm; whilst this has been welcomed, the amount of rain that is potentially associated with the tropical low off the coast and prevailing winds could cause more harm than good.

According to the 10am media release on BOM…

As of 10am AEST today Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper, situated 1320 km east northeast of Cairns, remains as a category 3 cyclone. Jasper is expected to strengthen further to a high end category 4 cyclone overnight and possibly a category 5 cyclone on Friday.

Jasper is slowly moving south to southwest towards the far northeast of the Coral Sea.

Over the weekend, Jasper is likely to weaken and move west towards the Queensland coast. While the timing and severity of a costal impact remains highly uncertain, the highest risk of a cyclone impact lies between Cooktown and Mackay, including Cairns and Townsville mid next week.

The Bureau will issue regular updates to help keep communities informed as the situation evolves over the coming days.

Communities in these areas are advised to review their cyclone plan.

All farms are on alert; keeping a constant eye on BOM for a better idea of where, when and if this tropical low will make land contact.

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 $4.00-4.90/kg; and Coles were offering fruit at $4.00/kg. Banana quality in stores varied with findings of some minor bruising; light scarring and splitting peel noted within most supermarket displays.

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 48, 2023 - The industry saw a 3.50% increase on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 466,858 tray equivalents harvested and transported (approx 15,000 more tray equivalents) on Week 47, 2023 production. Hass variety supplying 459,390 tray equivalents harvested in addition to 7,468 trays of assorted other varieties also in this week’s reported figures. Western Australia continues to lead production with 87.98% of the total volume this week, then NZ with 5.88%, Tristate and Central NSW both with 3.07% each.

Interestingly, of this 466,858 tray equivalents harvested and transported, approximately 80,000 tray equivalents were bulks and almost 64,000 tray equivalents were exported therefore leaving just under 323,000 tray equivalents for the domestic market supply. Central market pricing lifted this week by $2-$4/tray on premium larger sized fruit (14/16/18/20) selling at a top of $24/tray; whilst count 23/25 were selling at $18-$21/tray. Class one trays main sales of $11-$14/tray.

· It is forecast that a total of 497K trays will be despatched this week (Week 49) nationally. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two weeks thereafter are expected to range between 500K and 520K tray equivalents per week with a much lighter pick to arrive in the week between Christmas and New Year with many packing sheds opting to pick and pack on a reduced number of days throughout this period.

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

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. Minimal bruising but a few clusters spotting and light skin marking found.
Lady Fingers back at this store this week, priced at $5.99/kg. Some bruising and light skin marking visible.

ALDI GARDEN CITY

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. One only cluster found spotting.
Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg. These were considerably bruised and messily presented.

ALDI CHERMSIDE

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. This store also some spotting clusters as well as fruit with splitting skin. Odd neck injury and bruising also found.
Lady Fingers at $5.99/kg. One lone cluster remained in the carton on display.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg. Kids packs also priced at $4.00ea.
Red Tips $5.50/kg and Organic variety at $5.00/kg. Ladyfingers also on the display.
Low stock of ALL varieties - displays needed refilling.

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish on display priced at $4.00/kg - good colour. Not the best condition, some fruit with splitting skin or rot.
Kids packs priced at $4.00ea.
Red Tips at $4.50/kg and Lady Fingers $5.00/kg on special.
Organic variety at $6.00/kg.

COLES CHERMSIDE

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg. Kids packs also priced at $4.00ea.
Red Tips $4.50/kg with a little bat marking on a few clusters, Lady Fingers $5.00/kg on special and Organic variety at $6.00/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg - Eat Now and Eat Later display areas. Kids packs at $3.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg - both needed refilling.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

A very neat display of Cavendish priced at $4.90/kg. Crown end mould developing in a number of cavendish clusters. Kids packs at $3.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg - heavy spotting of these. Lady Fingers at $6.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS CHERMSIDE

Cavendish bananas, Wadda Bananas packed 23rd November displayed at $4.50/kg. Kids packs also priced at $3.50ea.
Red Tips $5.50/kg, Lady Fingers $7.00/kg some green clusters and Organic variety at $6.00/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI