QUICKLINKS

WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

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WISHING YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS 〰️

BANANA OVERVIEW

SUPPLY UPDATE

The national harvest figures for last week have not been released as yet with the impact of Ex- Tropical Cyclone Jasper in terms of rainfall, subsequent flooding, road closures and diverted routes this has impacted the volume of fruit that has been able to get away. Whilst the rain has eased and the flooding has subsided in some areas; the impact is still being felt. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 17.9 - 24.4 C across all major growing regions and day time temperatures have remained warmer ranging 25.7 - 31.0 C. There was a significant increase in terms of the rainfall experienced due to the tropical low in the region resulting in falls of 481.8 - 600.1mm across Mareeba and Walkamin; and falls across Innisfail and Tully within 545.6 - 548.6mm. There are a number of major roads, including the Palmerston Hwy, that suffered significant damage as a result of the sheer volume of water in the region which are not expected to be repaired for at least a month.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland on cavendish bananas this week was as follows: Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $4.00-4.50/kg; and Coles were offering fruit at $4.00-$4.50/kg. Banana quality in stores varied, most displays had good bloom and fruit was found to only have minimal bruising and light scarring.

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 50, 2023 - The industry saw a 1.43% decrease on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 566,289 tray equivalents harvested and transported (approx 10,000 more tray equivalents) on Week 49, 2023 production. Hass variety supplying 551,958 tray equivalents harvested in addition to 14,331 trays of assorted other varieties also in this week’s reported figures. It is important to note that there were almost 48,000 tray equivalents of this total production that were exported and 120,000 tray equivalents that were despatched as bulks/Processing (smaller sizes/class one or seconds) which leaves a total of some 399,000 trays for the domestic market.

Western Australia continues to lead production with 87.83% of the total volume this week, then NZ with 4.89%, Tristate 4.42% and Central NSW with 2.80%. It is worth noting here that the significant rain event in far north Queensland associated with Ex-Cyclone Jasper has potential ramifications on the 2024 North Queensland shepard avocado crop - this is basically a watch and wait situation, as we monitor tree health in any low lying regions. With reference to this last point, Rock Ridge Farms planned geographical spread, positions us in a much better situation than others.

· It is forecast that a total of 526K hass tray equivalents will be despatched this week (Week 51) nationally. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two weeks thereafter are expected to range between 330K and 500K tray equivalents per week.

In terms of Avocado retail pricing in Qld shelf prices were as follows - Aldi Qld Hass at 99c each ; Coles Qld had Hass ticketed at $1.20ea, and Woolworths had Hass selling at $1.20ea.

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. Minimal bruising but a few clusters spotting and light skin marking found.
Lady Fingers priced at $5.49/kg. Decent colour and minimal marking.

ALDI CARINDALE

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. One only cluster found spotting.
No Lady Fingers.

ALDI LOGANHOLME

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. Slightly green fruit, good bloom otherwise.
Lady Fingers at $5.49/kg.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg. Kids packs also priced at $4.00ea.
Red Tips $4.50/kg - minimal stock and Organic variety at $6.00/kg. Ladyfingers also on display for $7.90/kg.

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish on display priced at $4.50/kg - good colour. Not the best condition, some fruit with splitting skin or rot.
Kids packs priced at $4.50ea.
Lady Fingers $7.90/kg.
Organic variety at $6.00/kg.

COLES LOGANHOLME

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg. The majority of stock was only semi coloured. Kids packs also priced at $4.00ea.
Red Tips $4.50/kg with a little bat marking on a few clusters, Lady Fingers $7.90/kg and Organic variety at $6.00/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS INDOOROOPILLY

Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg - Appropriate Eat Now and Eat Later display areas. Kids packs at $3.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers at $8.00/kg. Organic variety at $6.00/kg.