QUICKLINKS

BANANA OVERVIEW

🍌SUPPLY UPDATE

We are still waiting to receive ABGC figures for the total number of cartons of Cavendish harvested and transported for Week 9 but believe them to be relatively unchanged. Over the last week in the far north, early A.M. temperatures have ranged 20.4 - 24.7 C across all major growing regions and day time temperatures have remained warmer ranging 28.6 - 32.6 C. There has been somewhat of a welcome reprieve in terms of rainfall in some regions this week with only 0.6 - 12.6mm across Mareeba and Walkamin; yet still moderate falls across Innisfail and Tully regions with 88.2mm - 93.4mm throughout the week.

Retail ticket pricing in Queensland for cavendish bananas this week were as follows: Aldi’s banana ticket price at $3.99/kg; Woolies offered fruit at a ticket price of $3.50/kg; and Coles were offering fruit at $4.00/kg in the stores visited. 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 9, 2024 - The industry saw a 1.53% increase on the previous week’s harvest with a total of 440,651 tray equivalents harvested and transported (approx 8,000 more tray equivalents) on Week 8, 2024 production. The harvest included Hass variety supplying 234,930 tray equivalents and 205,326 Shepard tray equivalents along with 395 trays of assorted other varieties in this week’s reported figures. Of the overall total, 87K tray equivalents were sent to processing; 65K tray equivalents were exported; leaving just over 289K tray equivalents for the domestic market.

Western Australia continues to lead production with hass at 52.36% of the total volume this week, then North QLD with fresh Shepard avocado supply accounting for 43.62%, with a few shepards also coming from Central QLD with 2.88%, and other varietals from Central NSW accounting for 0.91% and Tristate with 0.23%.

· It is forecast that a total of some almost 472,000 tray equivalents will be despatched this week (Week 10) nationally. This figure can be broken into Hass which will be approximately 138,000 whilst the Shepard variety is expected to take the lead with 334,000 tray equivalents. Hass harvest figures forecast for the next two-three weeks thereafter are expected to steadily decline range between 115K down to 98k tray equivalents per week. Meanwhile, we are excited to see our Shepard volumes increasing with the next two to three week production from the North Qld region increasing from 334,000 up to 386,000 tray equivalents during this timeframe.

In regards to the weather, this week has been one of the first in quite some time, that the rain has eased, there has been considerably less rainfall this week in the regions of Mareeba and Atherton, which has made the task of harvesting a little easier. Average fruit size from our farms is tending to be in the vicinity of a Ct 20-23. In light of the weather we have been experiencing, in recent weeks in far North Queensland, our packing crew are being extra vigilant and ensuring they downgrade any piece that is showing potential for develop rot.

In terms of Avocado retail - this is the first week we see all three major supermarkets with Shepards on shelf and in prepack form. Pricing in Qld saw shelf prices as follows - Aldi Qld changed over to Shepards this week with shelf tickets at $1.49 each and a feature in their catalogue ; Coles Qld had Hass and Shepard ticketed at $1.50ea, and Woolworths were retailing dual lines also: Hass selling at $1.70ea and Greenskin Shepards at $1.50ea - but not every store had swapped Shepards to the front location.

AVOCADO SNAPSHOT

Left to Right: Woolworths Hass & Shepard; Aldi Shepard and Coles primarily Shepard Avocados in Queensland stores

STOCK IN STORES

QUICKLINKS

🍌Bananas at Woolworths

🥑Avocados at Woolworths

BANANAS AT ALDI

ALDI GARDEN CITY

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg. Minimal bruising- some bat/bird damage, a few clusters found with split peel and some rub marking - some clusters were dull with respect to bloom.
‘Havana Bananas’ priced at $4.99/kg - but no stock on display

ALDI CARINDALE

A display of Cavendish Bananas ticketed at $3.99/kg - a little dull.
Havana Bananas priced at $4.99/kg - needed restocking.

ALDI LOGANHOLME

Cavendish priced at $3.99/kg.
All varying in colour and skin quality - a few duller hued clusters, some with sooty mould. Again a couple found with split peel and light neck injury.

BANANAS AT COLES

COLES GARDEN CITY

Cavendish bananas displayed at $4.00/kg. Kids packs also priced at $4.00ea.
Red Tips $5.50/kg (cleaner this week) and Ladyfingers (Posma’s suffering from something like blotchy mould marking) also on display for $5.90/kg. Organic at $6.00/kg.

COLES CARINDALE

Cavendish on display $4.00/kg - good colour.
Kids packs priced at $4.00ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg.
Lady Fingers $5.90/kg.

COLES LOGANHOLME

Cavendish priced at $4.00/kg. Kids packs at $4.00ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg, Lady Fingers (Posma’s with blotchy mould) at $5.90/kg and Organic variety at $6.00/kg.

BANANAS AT WOOLWORTHS

WOOLWORTHS CARINDALE

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg, Lady Fingers on special at $5.90/kg and Organic variety at $6.00/kg.

WOOLWORTHS GARDEN CITY

A very neat display of Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg and Lady Fingers on special at $5.90/kg.

WOOLWORTHS LOGANHOLME

Cavendish priced at $3.50/kg - Appropriate Eat Now and Eat Later display areas. Kids packs at $2.50ea.
Red Tips at $5.50/kg, Lady Fingers at $5.90/kg and Organic variety at $6.00/kg.

AVOCADOS AT ALDI